NASA has awarded Modulate Space Corporation a contract to develop key elements of a 5G communications system for the lunar surface, with built-in Wi-Fi 6. The work is for NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland and is intended to support future surface operations at Moon Base.
The contract
- Name: 5G System and Lunar Surface Communications Evaluation and Radio Propagation Measurements.
- Type and value: firm-fixed-price, approximately 38 million US dollars.
- Part 1, 5G Network-in-a-Box Development and Lab Demonstration: from 1 October 2026 to 31 January 2028.
- Part 2, Lunar 5G and Wi-Fi Integrated Surface Network and Flight Demonstration on the Lunar Surface: from 30 November 2026 to 31 December 2028.
What NASA wants to achieve
According to NASA, the effort will develop a scalable, standards-based communications capability. NASA will acquire development of the hardware, firmware and software needed for an integrated lunar communications system and gain insight into its architecture and operational performance, while keeping the flexibility to evolve the technology.
Why it matters
A permanent presence on the Moon needs a local network that connects astronauts, rovers, habitats and instruments, in addition to links back to Earth. Using terrestrial standards such as 5G and Wi-Fi could let lunar systems build on widely available technology. For the Earth to Mars side of space communications, see our article on the Mars telecommunications network.
Frequently asked questions
Who is building 5G for the Moon?
NASA awarded the contract to Modulate Space Corporation, for NASA’s Glenn Research Center.
When will lunar 5G be demonstrated on the Moon?
The flight demonstration part of the contract runs from 30 November 2026 to 31 December 2028, according to NASA.
Related reading
- NASA Selects Three New Lunar Science Payloads for Moon Base
- Satellite Ground Systems
- Commercial Lunar Deliveries
Sources
Cover image: Earth above the antenna of the Apollo 17 lunar roving vehicle, December 1972. Credit: NASA (AS17-134-20473), public domain.