Why the heck we need 4G cellular network on MOON?

Well, is it simply because humans are explorers and curious beings? But not just that, read on to find out why we need cellular network on moon.

As you might have seen in recent years specifically last two years, we witnessed significant activity going on in space precisely companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, Virgin Galactic making innovations on space travel vehicles. In near future, we shall see raise in space tourism where in tourists will be able to experience zero gravity, view the Earth and return to Earth safely by creating life long memories. But what is beyond this, what is more exciting? How about 3-day holiday to explore and a visit to Apollo 11 landing site on the Moon? I am sure that this is going to be a reality next 50 years or sooner.

But before this really happens, it is not less than a new adventure to build network connectivity on the lunar surface that would allow visitors on the moon to preserve those precious, once in a lifetime vacay moment in photos, videos and share with family, friends and acquaintances in real time.

And, here came one of the tech news stories like a cherry on cake - that this dream to spend holidays on the moon can really exist in the real world with the announcement made by NASA to “Launch 4G network on the Moon”. NASA selected Nokia to deploy 4G LTE communications system in space paving the way towards the sustainable presence of humans on the lunar surface. The contract valued at $14.1 million is a part of NASA’s “Artemis program” planned to land “the first woman and the next man” on the moon by 2024.

Nokia’s Bell Labs is offering its equipment to build a lunar network expected to launch in late 2022. Other companies involved in this program are Space X, Dynetics and Blue Origin assigned to develop human landers that will enable astronauts to land on the moon.

Bringing cellular network on the moon will bring multiple opportunities for industries exploring space as a vast marketplace to support use cases such as:

•  Mining and industrialization - Have we ever imagined a business outside the Earth? With mining taking a new route to space, many companies such as Planetary Resources have been getting their ball rolling by already launching multiple mini-satellites for geographical survey. Other companies like Deep Space Industries, Asteroid Mining Corporation, are still very far from their goals, are gaining private investments worth millions of dollars to bolster space mining initiatives in the years to come. Dialing calls to their loved ones will keep people in touch as they travel in regions around the moon on their tour for a few days. Having said that, people will be extremely curious to know what is going on in the space, interacting machines, watching astronauts taking videos and photos and post it via social media platforms such as Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook and other means of communication - for all the people living on the other side of the space in a totally different planet known as ‘Earth’.
• Tourism with improved safety - Astronauts will be able to make calls while on their visit to the moon. This one-of-a-kind project, to bring network connectivity far from the planet Earth is aimed at facilitating astronauts not only to communicate via voice and video, exchange telemetry and biometric data but also allowing them to be safe and connected with people back home.
• Remote operations of equipment's / machines / rovers - Lunar rovers, space motors and various machinery can be remotely monitored in the presence of data connectivity in real-time (imagine Google Maps on the moon). Building wireless networks will require base stations and antennas to be ruggedized to sustain radiation-filled, harsh environment on lunar surface. Moreover, every bits and pieces of network hardware must be equipped to monitor remote control machineries for example, heavy construction equipment's, autonomous vehicles etc. Telecom service providers can capitalize on this opportunity to develop new-age network testing solutions according to the requirements and can pave the way towards establishing an innovative once-in-a-lifetime network on the moon.
• Habitat and life support system communication via exchange of data - Communication is key wherever we go and landing on to a new surface, “Moon and its surroundings”, monitoring health check levels of human habitats connected through life support systems and telemedicine will heavily be dependent on 4G network. With limited resources, moon habitants should have instant access to medical expertise back on Earth in emergency situations.

On the other hand, radio astronomers community really aren’t happy as its signals create interference (i.e., radio frequency interference or RFI) and radio telescopes are extremely vulnerable to such intrusion. They are constantly developing strategies to curb RFI with the application of appropriate shielding and precision on the discharging of signals.

As NASA and Nokia teams up to transport data connections to the moon, the sky is also now being filled up with new-age wireless technologies like 4G, commercializing space too. Envisioning 4G network on a different surface has definitely created excitement among everyone to be connected to people even when they are miles and miles kilometers far away from the green planet. The development of a lunar communications network will support future international exploration efforts with a potential to enable various use cases such as remote control of rovers and associated infrastructure and many more yet to be scouted. This whole mission can generate new avenues for various sectors namely astronomy for conducting astronomical research in depth and ongoing training, tourism for uncovering new areas to expand permanent human habitation on the moon for a long term as they plan to visit on this lunar surface.

Article references:

https://scroll.in/article/976732/nokia-is-set-to-build-a-4g-network-on-moon-and-astronomers-arent-happy

https://edition.cnn.com/2020/10/18/tech/4g-network-moon-trnd/index.html

https://www.nokia.com/about-us/news/releases/2020/10/19/nokia-selected-by-nasa-to-build-first-ever-cellular-network-on-the-moon/

https://www.firstpost.com/tech/science/first-extraterrestrial-cellular-service-nokia-chosen-by-nasa-to-set-up-4g-network-on-the-moon-8966341.html

https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/19/nasa-is-launching-a-4g-mobile-network-on-the-moon.html#:~:text=Under%20its%20Artemis%20program%2C%20NASA,making%20voice%20and%20video%20calls.

https://spectrum.ieee.org/tech-talk/telecom/wireless/4g-moon

https://www.statista.com/topics/3279/space-mining/