CASE STUDY
Hopper and Lunar Outpost ’ s Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform ( MAPP ) rover .
Upon landing on the Moon , the two vehicles are designed to deploy on the lunar surface where they would immediately use the Nokia device modules to establish connections to the network on Athena .
The LSCS utilizes the same 4G / LTE cellular technology used by billions of devices on Earth , though Nokia Bell Labs reconceptualized the system to meet the unique requirements of a lunar mission .
The network is engineered to handle surface connectivity between the lander and vehicles , carrying high-definition video streaming , command-and-control communications and telemetry data . Intuitive Machines expects to relay data from the LSCS back to Earth using its direct-to-Earth data transmission service .
Thierry E . Klein , President of Bell Labs Solutions Research , Nokia , said : “ We intend to prove that cellular technologies can provide the reliable , high-capacity and efficient connectivity needed for future crewed and uncrewed missions to the Moon and eventually Mars . Cellular technology has irrevocably transformed the way we communicate on Earth . There ’ s no reason it can ’ t do the same for communications on other worlds .”
Nokia Bell Labs developed the LSCS and Intuitive Machines created the Micro-Nova Hopper in partnership with NASA ’ s Space Technology Mission Directorate via its Tipping Point initiative , which funds industry-developed space technologies that can foster the development of commercial space capabilities and benefit future NASA missions . One of the goals of Intuitive Machines ’ second lunar mission will be to use the Micro-Nova Hopper and the LSCS to test new sensor instruments that could help identify and map precious resources on the Moon , like water ice .
The first cellular network on the Moon
Nokia Bell Labs and NASA ’ s Tipping Point initiative will deploy the first cellular 4G / LTE network on the Moon ’ s South Pole during Intuitive Machines ’ IM-2 mission .
While the mission is acknowledged as complex , it ’ s goal is simple – proving that terrestrial cellular technologies that connect billions of smartphones on Earth can meet the critical communication needs of future missions to the Moon and Mars .
To accomplish this , Nokia Bell Labs has completely reconceptualized the cellular network , engineering a highly resilient , fully integrated and extremely compact 4G / LTE system capable of operating autonomously under the harsh environmental conditions of the Moon .
The network will voyage to the Moon integrated into Intuitive Machines ’ Nova-C lander Athena and two lunar exploration vehicles .
Once Athena touches down , the network will automatically deploy and configure itself , establishing high-capacity , high-performance links to Lunar Outpost ’ s MAPP rover and Intuitive Machines ’ Micro-Nova hopper .
As these two vehicles explore the lunar surface , the network will allow mission operators to remotely pilot and command the rover and hopper , while streaming critical telemetry information back to mission control in Houston via Intuitive Machines ’ direct-to-Earth link .
The network will also carry real-time video feeds and high-definition images from both vehicles , potentially transmitting the first images of ice on the Moon ’ s surface .
The MAPP rover will then begin a multi-day journey exploring the Moon ’ s south pole region , mapping the lunar surface while collecting stereo imagery and vital environmental data along the way .
The Micro-Nova Hopper , named Grace , is designed to descend into permanently shadowed lunar craters . There it may use these new sensors to scan for large concentrations of hydrogen , which are indicative of ice deposits . All data collected by the Micro-Nova would then be transmitted over the Nokia network to Athena , where it would be relayed back to Earth .
The Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform ( MAPP ) rover was developed by Lunar Outpost .
Once on the lunar surface , the MAPP rover will exit from a protective enclosure on Athena , extend its antennas , and establish a connection to Nokia ’ s cellular network on Athena .
Steve Altemus , CEO , Intuitive Machines , said : “ We believe delivering Nokia ’ s 4G / LTE system to the lunar surface is a transformative moment in the commercialization of space and the maturity of the lunar economy . We ’ re taking thoughtful steps to achieve sustainability . Whether it ’ s Nokia connecting surface assets , or Intuitive Machines ’ ability to transmit that data back to Earth and establish lunar data relay satellites , these innovations are mainstay capabilities we believe will define the Artemis generation and they were initiated through NASA leadership .”
The Launch of Intuitive Machines ’ Athena lander is targeted for no earlier than late February 2025 from NASA ’ s Kennedy Space Center . p
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