CASE STUDY
Nokia and Intuitive Machines have confirmed the successful final integration of Nokia ’ s Lunar Surface Communication System ( LSCS ) into the IM-2 mission lander , named Athena .
Athena and the LSCS will voyage to the lunar south pole region in the upcoming IM-2 mission , where Nokia and Intuitive Machines intend to deploy the first cellular network on the Moon .
After months of testing and validation with Nokia Bell Labs , Intuitive Machines engineers installed the LSCS “ network in a box ” to one of Athena ’ s upper carboncomposite panels . Multiple precautions were taken during the installation to help ensure that the network will safely make the 239,000-mile journey to the Moon , survive the stresses of take-off and landing and operate optimally on the lunar surface .
Each of the 14 mounting points is thermally isolated to keep the network insulated from the extremely low temperatures of deep space . Intuitive Machines also integrated the network into Athena ’ s Thermal Protection System . This system will expel heat when the network is operating , and it will supply heat to protect the network when it is idle .
Two device modules make up additional components of Nokia ’ s LSCS , and they have been installed in two lunar mobility vehicles : Intuitive Machines ’ Micro-Nova
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