Phone home? NASA, Nokia plan first-ever cellular network on moon [Video]

A cellular network may soon be heading to the moon.

Nokia announced that it has partnered up with NASA to build the first-ever cellular network on the lunar surface, paving the way “for a sustainable human presence on the moon.” 

According to the wireless and network technology company, a 4G communications system will be deployed to the lunar surface sometime this year to develop these technologies. 

A lander will install the system at the moon’s south pole and then it will be remotely controlled from Earth.

The contract given to Nokia is part of NASA’s Tipping Point program, which fosters the development of commercial space capabilities to benefit future missions. The 4G network unit is being built by Nokia’s Bell Labs.

NASA plans to leverage these innovations for its Artemis program, which will establish sustainable operations on the moon by the end of the decade in preparation for an expedition to Mars.

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