First mobile network: NASA and Nokia will launch the first mobile network on the Moon, HD video streaming will be possible on the surface..

In a historic step in space exploration, NASA is preparing to set up the first mobile network on the moon. The groundbreaking development is part of Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission, which will see the launch of the Athena lander on Thursday to set up the Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS).

The LSCS, developed by Nokia, will establish connectivity on the lunar surface using cellular technology used on Earth.

The network will survive the harsh conditions of space.
The mobile network will enable high-definition video streaming, command-and-control communications, and telemetry data transfers between the lander and lunar vehicles. According to Thierry Klein, president of Nokia Bell Labs Solutions Research, the network is designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space - such as extreme temperatures, radiation, and vibrations during launch-landing.

“We put all the components into a ‘network in a box,’ which includes everything needed for a cell network except the antennas and power source,” Klein told MIT Technology Review.

The mission will include two lunar vehicles: Intuitive Machines’ Micro-Nova Hopper and Lunar Outpost’s Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover. These vehicles will connect to the network established by the Athena lander using Nokia’s device modules. The network will only work for a few days due to the lunar night, but the technology is promising for future lunar missions.

Foundation for Artemis program
The success of this mobile network lays the groundwork for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the lunar surface by 2027. Nokia’s long-term goal is to expand this network to support sustainable human activities on the moon, which could include integrating cell communications into spacesuits for future astronauts.

"Perhaps a 'network in a box' or a single tower could provide full coverage, or we might need several of them," Klein said. The network could expand as the lunar economy and permanent habitats grow.

Designed for space
The technology that will power the mobile network on the moon is designed to withstand the extreme conditions of space. Nokia engineers have created components that can withstand radiation, extreme temperature fluctuations and vibrations that occur during space travel.

Acknowledging that regulatory challenges will need to be addressed for long-term use, Klein said, "For permanent deployment, we will have to choose a different frequency band," The network will be compatible with 4G and 5G standards on Earth.

PRIME-1 Experiment
In addition to the mobile network deployment, NASA will also conduct its Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment 1 (PRIME-1). This experiment will drill into the lunar surface to extract regolith and analyze volatiles with a mass spectrometer.

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