Nokia 4G tech to integrate with Axiom spacesuits, aid astronauts on moon to communicate real-time

BENGALURU: Nokia, which had earlier announced its partnership with Nasa for setting up of 4G/LTE cellular network on Moon, has now entered into a partnership with Axiom Space to integrate 4G/LTE connectivity into next-generation spacesuits for Nasa’s Artemis III lunar mission.
In an exclusive interview to TOI, Nishant Batra, Chief Strategy and Technology Officer, Nokia, confirmed the development and said the collaboration aims to revolutionise space exploration by enabling high-speed cellular network capabilities on Moon.
The advanced communication system will be incorporated into Axiom Space’s Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), allowing astronauts to transmit HD video, telemetry data, and voice over multiple kilometres on the lunar surface.
This technology will facilitate real-time communication between crew members and mission control on Earth, enhancing safety and efficiency during lunar exploration.
Nokia plans to deploy the first cellular network on the Moon as part of Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 uncrewed mission, scheduled for delivery to the launch site in 2024. The company's Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), developed by Nokia Bell Labs, will be adapted for use in the AxEMU spacesuit.
“This integration will enable the transmission of crucial telemetry and biometric data during lunar missions, replacing the legacy technologies used in previous space expeditions. We’re moving from rudimentary technologies like UHF and VHF to 4G/LTE. It’s a recognition that there needs to be a local communications network on Moon for manned missions, capable of handling the significant amount of data that needs to be collected locally,” Batra said.
The development of this technology posed unique challenges, particularly in designing equipment that can withstand the extreme temperature fluctuations on the lunar surface. Batra highlighted the impressive thermal range the equipment must endure: “The temperature swings on the lunar surface can be massive compared to terrestrial testing conditions,” he said.
Network-in-box
Nokia’s solution comes in the form of a network-in-a-box concept, which differs significantly from terrestrial networks. This compact system combines the base station (radio and digital unit), security elements, and core network components into a single, highly resilient package that can be installed on lunar landers, rovers, or habitats.
“It's not just any box,” Batra said. “It’s a very resilient system that has to face a certain way and withstand the extreme environmental conditions encountered during launch, transit to Moon, landing and operations on the lunar surface. It's a very challenging product that we’ve worked on for a significant amount of time.”
The implications of this technology extend beyond the Artemis programme. Batra sees potential applications in the booming space economy, including future missions to Mars. Moreover, the innovations developed for this lunar network could have terrestrial applications in harsh environments or for defence purposes.
Nokia’s involvement in space technology isn’t new. The company’s Bell Labs has a rich history in space communications, including launching Telstar 1 in 1962 and contributing to Nasa’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programmes. “This latest project builds on that legacy, pushing the boundaries of what's possible in space communications,” he said.
5G, 6G Work In India
While Nokia’s latest lunar communications project saw no work done in India, the company’s research centre here is focused on future terrestrial technologies.
“Most of our effort at our India research centre in Bengaluru is on 5G and 6G standardisation. You know that the cislunar technologies evolve, they are always a generation behind. So we’re delivering 4G LTE to Moon, on which there was no work done in India.”
“...But at some point, we will deliver 5G, when the technology is rugged and mature, and a similar strategy would be followed by 6G. The technology that they’re (Indian centre) delivering for 5G and 6G could then be eventually used at some point in the future,” Batra added.