Nokia says that the goal of launching a 4G network on the moon is to show that terrestrial networks can be used to handle the communications demands for future space missions. The network will allow astronauts to communicate with each other and with mission control. It will also be used to control the lunar rover remotely and stream real-time video and data back to earth.
The Finnish networking firm previously said that the lunar network would “provide critical communication capabilities for many different data transmission applications, including vital command and control functions, remote control of lunar rovers, real-time navigation and streaming of high definition video.”
The principal analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy, Anshel Sag, said that 2023 would be an optimistic target for when the mission might launch. Sending an email to CNBC, Sag wrote, “If the hardware is ready and validated as it seems to be, there is a good chance they could launch in 2023 as long as their launch partner of choice doesn’t have any setbacks or delays.”