4G Internet on the Moon: Nokia and Intuitive Machines Bring Cellular Connectivity to Space

The IM-2 mission will mark a historic milestone by installing the first cellular network outside the Earth, transforming space communications

In an unprecedented breakthrough for space exploration, Nokia and Intuitive Machines have completed the final integration of the Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS) on the Athena lander, which traveled to the lunar south pole in February 2025 to deploy the first 4G/LTE cellular network on the Moon.

A network in a box of 384,000 kilometres

After months of rigorous testing and validation at Nokia Bell Labs, Intuitive Machines engineers installed the LSCS on one of Athena's carbon composite top panels. This "network in a box" — a complete network contained in a box — had to be designed to withstand the 384,000-kilometer journey to the Moon, withstand the extreme stresses of takeoff and landing, and operate optimally on the hostile lunar surface.

"We believe that bringing Nokia's 4G/LTE system to the lunar surface is a transformative moment in the commercialization of space and the maturity of the lunar economy," said Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines. "We are taking careful steps towards sustainability. Whether it's Nokia connecting surface assets, or Intuitive Machines' ability to transmit that data back to Earth and set up lunar data relay satellites, these innovations are fundamental capabilities that we believe will define the Artemis generation."

Terrestrial technology adapted for extreme conditions

The system uses the same 4G/LTE cellular technology that connects billions of devices on Earth, though Nokia Bell Labs completely reconceptualized it to meet the unique requirements of a lunar mission. The network is designed to handle surface connectivity between the lander and the exploration vehicles, supporting high-definition video transmission, command and control communications, and telemetry data.

"We intend to demonstrate that cellular technologies can provide the reliable, high-capacity and efficient connectivity needed for future manned and unmanned missions to the Moon and, eventually, Mars," said Thierry E. Klein, president of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia. "Cellular technology has irrevocably transformed the way we communicate on Earth. There's no reason why I can't do the same on other worlds."

Two vehicles connected from day one

In addition to the system installed on Athena, two complementary device modules of the LSCS have been integrated into lunar mobility vehicles:

1. Micro-Nova Hopper "Grace" (Intuitive Machines): A jumper designed to descend into permanently shadowed craters and test new sensing instruments that could identify and map precious resources such as water ice. It will scan large concentrations of hydrogen, indicative of ice deposits.
2. Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) (Lunar Outpost): A rover that will take a multi-day journey exploring the lunar south pole region, mapping the surface while collecting stereoscopic imagery and vital environmental data.

Upon landing on the Moon, both vehicles will immediately deploy to the lunar surface, where they will use Nokia device modules to establish network connections on Athena. All the collected data will be transmitted over the Nokia network to Athena, which will relay it back to Earth using Intuitive Machines' direct transmission service.

NASA endorsement and business vision

The project is supported by NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate through its Tipping Point initiative, which funds industry-developed space technologies to foster commercial space capabilities and benefit future NASA missions. Nokia received a contract from NASA in 2021 to develop this technology.

The system is protected by 14 thermally insulated mounting points and integrated with Athena's Thermal Protection System, which manages heat during periods of operation and inactivity. These precautions are critical, as the network is expected to work only for a few days: the spacecraft probably won't survive after night falls on the lunar surface.

Towards a permanent lunar infrastructure

Beyond this demonstration mission, Nokia has plans for more expansive 4G or 5G networks that can cover the planned Artemis habitat and its surroundings. The company is also working on integrating cellular communications into Axiom spacesuits intended for future lunar astronauts.

"Maybe just a network in a box, a tower, would provide the full coverage, or maybe we'd need multiple of these. That's not going to be any different than what you see in the deployment of terrestrial cellular networks," Klein explained. "The network should grow along with the future lunar economy."

Intuitive Machines is also working to deploy a constellation of lunar satellites to provide communication and navigation services for NASA's Artemis activities on the moon, under a NASA contract awarded last year for up to $4.82 billion.

Challenges and controversies

Not everyone is excited about this vision. LTE networks typically operate between 700 MHz and 2.6 GHz, a region of the radio frequency spectrum that partially overlaps with frequencies reserved for radio astronomy. Some scientists express concern about potential interference with astronomical observations from the Moon, considered an electromagnetically quiet environment ideal for radio telescopes.

However, proponents argue that establishing robust communications infrastructure is essential for a sustainable lunar presence and that regulations can manage the coexistence between telecommunications and science.

A milestone in the commercialization of space

The collaboration between Intuitive Machines, Nokia and Lunar Outpost exemplifies the maturation of the commercial space sector, particularly in establishing critical infrastructure for sustained lunar operations. Adapting terrestrial 4G/LTE technology for lunar operations could significantly reduce the costs and complexity of future missions compared to traditional space communication systems.

The Athena module is scheduled to launch in late February 2025 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. If successful, this mission will not only demonstrate the viability of cellular communications on the Moon, but also set a crucial precedent for the infrastructure that will underpin the next era of human space exploration.

As Altemus stated, "These innovations represent foundational capabilities that will define the Artemis generation and were initiated through NASA's leadership."

About the companies:

Intuitive Machines is a diversified space exploration, infrastructure, and services company focused on fundamentally transforming the lunar access economy.

Nokia Bell Labs is the research arm of Nokia, responsible for numerous technological advances that have transformed global communications since its founding in 1925.

Lunar Outpost is an aerospace company specializing in space robotics and planetary exploration technologies.

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