NASA Contract with Nokia: A Step Towards 5G Connectivity on the Moon
In 2024, NASA plans to send the first woman and next man to the moon as part of their Artemis program. To support this mission, NASA is partnering with Nokia to build the first 4G/LTE network on the moon. The $14.1 million contract was awarded to Nokia`s US subsidiary, Nokia of America Corporation.
This may seem like an unexpected partnership, but with the upcoming Artemis missions, the need for real-time communication between the lunar surface and Earth is critical. The 4G/LTE network will provide astronauts with reliable communication and can be used to control rovers and other equipment.
But why stop at 4G/LTE? Nokia and NASA have even bigger plans for the future. The partnership aims to eventually upgrade the lunar network to 5G, making it the first-ever wireless network on the moon.
5G technology is set to revolutionize the way we communicate and connect with each other. Not only is it faster than 4G, but it also has lower latency, meaning that the time it takes for devices to communicate with each other is greatly reduced. This is crucial for the use of robotics and autonomous systems, which require real-time communication with their operators.
The Nokia Lunar Network will be designed to withstand the harsh climate and terrain of the moon. It will be made up of an Ultra-Compact Network consisting of an LTE Base Station, LTE User Equipment, and an Integrated EPC (evolved packet core) to support voice and data communications. This network will be installed remotely and will be operated from Earth.
The Nokia and NASA partnership is just one example of how technology is advancing to support space exploration. It`s also a reminder that the future of space technology is not just limited to rockets and rovers.
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