Nokia announces deal with Nasa to put 4G cell network on the moon

Nokia says high-capacity communications networks will be key to supporting sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. Photo / NASA

Nokia says it has been tapped by Nasa to build the first cellular communications network on the moon.

The Finnish telecommunications equipment maker said Monday its Nokia Bell Labs' division will build a 4G communications system to be deployed on a lunar lander to the Moon's surface in late 2022.

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Nasa is awarding $370 million to 14 companies including to provide technology for the Artemis moon-landing programme. The programme aims to establish a long-term human presence on the moon as a warm-up for missions to Mars.

Nokia released more details of its involvement after Nasa announced last week it was giving the company's US unit $14.1 million for the network. The US space agency is also funding other innovations in cryogenic fluid management, lunar surface innovation, and descent and landing capability.

The headquarters of Finnish telecommunication network company Nokia in Espoo, Finland. AP Photo / Mikko Stig, Lehtikuva

Nokia's network will provide critical communications capabilities for tasks astronauts will need to carry out like remote control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and high-definition video streaming, the company said.

The equipment includes base station, antennas and software and is designed to withstand harsh launches and lunar landings and extreme conditions in space.

Nokia is partnering with US company Intuitive Machines, which Nasa chose to build a small "hopper lander" to access lunar craters and carry out high-resolution surveys of the lunar surface over a short distance.

"Reliable, resilient and high-capacity communications networks will be key to supporting sustainable human presence on the lunar surface," Nokia's chief technology officer, Marcus Weldon, said. - AP