Nokia secures NASA funding to set up 4G on the Moon

Lunar astronauts can now post to Instagram while still on the moon

ISLAMABAD/KARACHI:

Nokia is partnering with NASA to set up a 4G cellular network on the moon. The Finnish company will receive $14.1m in finds from NASA for the project.

The project is part of a $370m string of contracts issued by NASA as it readies for a return to the moon in 2024.

While the contract has been presented to Nokia’s US subsidiary it will employ the experience of the entire company. “The system could support lunar surface communications at greater distances, increased speeds, and provide more reliability than current standards,” said NASA.

The 4G network would be used by astronauts, vehicles and as a foothold for any future permanent Moonbase: “With NASA funding, Nokia will look at how terrestrial technology could be modified for the lunar environment to support reliable, high-rate communications,” said Jim Reuter, associate administrator for NASA’s Space Technology Mission Directorate.