NASA Awards Contract for Lunar 5G and Wi-Fi 6 Communications System

• NASA has awarded a $38 million firm-fixed-price contract to Modulate Space Corporation to develop 5G communications and Wi-Fi 6 technology for the lunar surface.
• The initiative aims to create a scalable, standards-based network to support future operations at a lunar base.

Project Phases

• 5G Network-in-a-Box Development and Lab Demonstration: Scheduled from October 1, 2024, through January 31, 2028.
• Lunar 5G and Wi-Fi Integrated Surface Network and Flight Demonstration: Scheduled from November 30, 2024, through December 31, 2028.

Technical Objectives

• Develop integrated hardware, firmware, and software to advance lunar communication systems.
• Provide NASA with insights into system architecture, operational performance, and long-term scalability.
• Create a flexible communications framework capable of evolving alongside future lunar exploration needs.