The Moon Just Got Cell Service—But Do We Really Need It?

NASA is sending astronauts back to the moon, but first, Nokia is sending a 4G network. That’s right, before we’ve even built a permanent base, we’re making sure future lunar explorers have better cell reception than most remote towns on Earth.

Later this month, Intuitive Machines will launch its IM-2 mission, deploying Nokia’s first lunar 4G network near the moon’s south pole. Unlike past point-to-point radios, this radiation-hardened “network in a box” will improve data speeds, range, and connectivity for rovers, landers, and future astronauts.

But it’s not without controversy; astronomers warn that cell signals from the moon could interfere with radio telescopes, and 4G frequencies technically violate international space regulations.

If we’re building a moon-based internet, what else should we be prioritizing for a sustainable off-world presence? What infrastructure comes first?

Read the full article on MIT Technology Review.

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