Nokia is to equip Axiom Space spacesuits for the Artemis III lunar mission with 4G connectivity.

The Finnish biz is no stranger to 4G/LTE comms tech, although it has yet to bring the hardware anywhere near the Moon. Despite ambitious claims from companies like Vodafone, the first 4G network is expected to arrive with Intuitive Machines' IM-2 lander. Nokia's Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS) will be deployed during this mission - currently expected to launch by the end of 2024 - and is going to be adapted for the Axiom Space suits.

"Integrated network connectivity in the suit will advance space exploration with crew-to-crew communication and ability to capture and transmit real-time HD video with Earth," claimed Nokia.

It will be an improvement over the crackling emissions of the Apollo era. Hopefully, the HD video won't meet the same fate as Apollo 12's color camera when astronaut Alan Bean accidentally pointed it at the Sun [PDF].

Both Axiom and Nokia expect the network capabilities in the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) to work over "multiple kilometers."

Russell Ralston, Axiom Space exec veep of extravehicular activity, said: "Adding high-speed 4G/LTE network capability on the Moon will serve as a vital bridge linking astronauts to Earth, facilitating crucial data exchange, and enabling high-definition video communication over long distances."

Axiom Space was recently awarded $57.5 million by NASA to modify its spacesuit for the Artemis III mission. Its first Artemis task order, issued in 2022, was valued at $228 million.

The LSCS comprises two components: A single unit that combines a radio, base station, and the core elements of a terrestrial cellular network, as well as device modules that will be integrated into the Axiom Space spacesuits.

And what justifies the cost, which might make even an Apple device user wince? "Both the network and device modules have been carefully engineered to withstand the extreme environmental conditions on the lunar surface and the dynamic stress of spaceflight, and have been optimized for size, weight and power consumption."

In the case of IM-2, the uncrewed mission that will pave the way for Nokia's technology, the base station unit will be integrated directly into Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander. Vehicles deployed from the lander will be equipped with radio devices to establish a cellular network on the lunar surface. ®

https://www.theregister.com//2024/08/22/nokia_axiom_space_4g/