Nokia’s Cellular Tech Could Support NASA’s Biometrics Needs on the Moon

“The lunar network system will include an LTE Base Station featuring, among other things, RF antennas and Operations and Maintenance control software.”

Cellular technology from Nokia could have biometric applications on the Moon, the company says.

The Finnish mobile tech specialist was recently selected by NASA to help build an LTE/4G cellular network on the Moon in support of the latter’s Artemis program, which is aimed at establishing an ongoing, sustainable human presence on the lunar surface by the end of the decade.

Now, Nokia has offered a few details about what kind of technology it’s going to be delivering through this project. The company has partnered with Intuitive Machines and its cellular technology will be integrated into the latter’s lunar lander. Once it reaches the lunar surface, it will “self-configure” in order to establish the Moon’s first LTE communications network.

“Nokia’s LTE network – the precursor to 5G – is ideally suited for providing wireless connectivity for any activity that astronauts need to carry out, enabling voice and video communications capabilities, telemetry and biometric data exchange, and deployment and control of robotic and sensor payloads,” Nokia explained in a statement.

The lunar network system will include an LTE Base Station featuring, among other things, RF antennas and Operations and Maintenance control software. It has been specifically designed to withstand the harsh conditions of space, and in addition to supporting whatever biometric functions NASA may require, it will also provide important communication capabilities for command and control, navigation, video streaming and the remote control of lunar rovers.

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October 20, 2020 – by Alex Perala