NASA Awards Contract to Develop 5G Communications System for the Moon

NASA has awarded a contract to Modulate Space Corporation to develop key elements of a 5G communications system for use on the lunar surface, with built-in Wi-Fi 6 capability, for the agency's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland.

The accelerated effort is organized into two primary work areas that together aim to develop a scalable, standards-based communications capability designed for lunar operations, according to NASA.

Building Lunar Infrastructure

A reliable communications network is considered a key piece of infrastructure for sustained lunar exploration, supporting data transfer between astronauts, rovers and other systems operating on the Moon's surface.

NASA did not disclose the value of the contract or a specific timeline for when the 5G system would be tested or deployed on the lunar surface. The work is being managed through NASA's Glenn Research Center, which focuses on aeronautics and space technology research.

The contract adds to a broader set of NASA-backed efforts to develop the technological infrastructure needed to support future crewed and robotic missions to the Moon.