Produced by: Tarun Mishra
Axiom Space has teamed up with Nokia to incorporate 4G/LTE communication technology into the next-generation spacesuits designed for NASA's Artemis III mission, aiming to improve astronaut communication on the Moon.
The collaboration will integrate high-speed cellular network features into the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuit, enabling astronauts to transmit HD video, telemetry data, and voice communications over several kilometers on the lunar surface.
This technological upgrade will allow Artemis III crew members to capture real-time video and maintain constant communication with mission control on Earth during their lunar exploration activities, ensuring a robust data exchange link.
As part of this project, Nokia plans to deploy the first cellular network on the Moon in 2024, under Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission. This will test the feasibility of using cellular connectivity for future lunar and Mars missions.
Nokia's Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), developed by Nokia Bell Labs, will be adapted for use in the AxEMU spacesuit. The LSCS is designed to withstand extreme lunar conditions, ensuring reliable communication.
Thierry E. Klein, President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia, emphasized the necessity of advanced networks for enabling astronauts to communicate effectively and perform critical tasks during their missions on the Moon.
This innovative project is part of a $57.5 million NASA contract awarded to Axiom Space, building on a previous $228 million task order for developing spacesuits for the Artemis program.