This 4G NIB had a lifespan shorter than expected, but even had the mission been fully successful, the NIB would still have been brief. Dow mentions it was not designed to endure the harsh lunar night, which is set to begin in approximately 9 days (a lunar day and a lunar night each last around 14 Earth days). In fact, the entire IM-2 mission was intended to conclude around this time, as the solar cells of the equipment wouldn’t generate enough power to keep the devices operating. For the Artemis III mission, however, the network and modules embedded in the spacesuits will be able to withstand the extreme temperatures of the moon, which can reach highs of 250 degrees Fahrenheit and lows of -208 degrees.
Eventually, the aim is to set up permanent base stations. “Once you establish reliable connectivity, you can envision a fundamental infrastructure to support all the aspirations people have discussed,” says Dow. “As lunar surface travel expands, inhabited missions will follow,” he continues. “Ultimately, you’ll reach a stage where you won’t need to transport the network; you’ll simply need the device since the network will already be in place.”
The 4G LTE communication system that will be incorporated into Axiom spacesuits in the future will support connections between astronauts and from lander to lander, as well as from astronaut to astronaut. There won’t be smartphones for astronauts to hold; “It’ll be somewhat similar to using hands-free in your car,” explains Russell Ralston, the executive vice president of Extravehicular Activity at Axiom Space. The suits will feature voice-activated microphones, and the network will be capable of managing multiple live HD video streams, in addition to telemetry and data from internal sensors.
So why not move directly to 5G? The latest generation of mobile technology offers considerable enhancements over the previous one, after all. Dow explains that space technology development is a lengthy process, and Nokia preferred to start with a system that has been thoroughly tested. At the time, 5G was still in its nascent stage, and for the current tests, those added functionalities weren’t essential. “We are certainly progressing toward the transition to 5G,” he states. If you’re curious whether Nokia will be the only network provider on the moon, Dow mentions that a multi-vendor framework will prove adaptable, especially because Nokia employs standardized technology ensuring interoperability.
Michael López-Alegría, chief astronaut at Axiom Space, who spent time aboard the International Space Station from 2006 to 2007 and commanded Axiom-1 in 2022—the first commercially crewed mission to the ISS—notes that in the Apollo missions, astronauts received extensive training in geology. While Artemis III astronauts are undergoing similar instruction, the ability to transmit high-definition video from the moon to experts back on Earth is a game changer.
“Now they can share their observations with a geologist on Earth instead of trying to impart all the knowledge a PhD possesses,” López-Alegría remarks. “They can utilize it as a tool, much like we do on the ISS today. I consider this a significant advancement, and it’s 50 years later, so it’s about time.”
The IM-2 was the sole scheduled test for Nokia’s 4G network on the moon. Although the test yielded partial success, Nokia has not disclosed whether there will be another test following the abrupt conclusion of IM-2. Dow states the company will continue conducting tests on Earth in preparation for Artemis III.
