Finnish technology firm Nokia has been selected by Nasa to build a 4G tower on the moon, the first step in creating a "sustainable human presence" there.
Subsidiary Nokia Bell Labs will partner with American aerospace firm Intuitive Machines to build and install the compact, low-power, space-hardened cellular tower, the company said.
The cellular network includes a base station, antennas, and operations and maintenance control software.
It has been designed to operate in space, and to withstand both the launch and the lunar landing.
If all goes to plan, the network will provide astronauts with wireless connectivity, voice and video communications, greater data exchange, and robotic deployment.
Marcus Weldon, Nokia’s chief technology officer, said: "Reliable, resilient and high-capacity communications networks will be key to supporting sustainable human presence on the lunar surface."
The tower is due to be installed in late 2022.
Image courtesy of Petar Kremenarov/Dreamstime
