Nokia Bell Labs to pioneer LunA-10 program for Lunar Economy with DARPA

In an ambitious move that harks back to the pioneering days of space exploration, Nokia Bell Labs has been selected by the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to participate in the LunA-10 program. This groundbreaking initiative aims to design an integrated multi-service architecture to support a thriving lunar economy in the next decade and beyond. Nokia Bell Labs, renowned for its expertise in future network architectures and leadership in lunar surface communication technologies, joins a cohort of 14 companies chosen across various industrial sectors to embark on this visionary project.

LunA-10’s mission is to lay the foundational infrastructure necessary for industrial activities and scientific discovery on the Moon. Nokia Bell Labs’ selection is not merely due to its ambitious project to establish the first cellular network on the Moon but also its storied legacy in space innovation, which dates back to the Mercury Program. This rich history includes significant contributions to NASA’s crewed space programs and the launch of one of the world’s first communication satellites, Telstar 1, into orbit in 1962.

Building the Moon’s Future: Nokia’s Role in DARPA’s 10-Year Lunar Architecture Program

The LunA-10 program envisions a comprehensive blueprint for the Moon’s commercial operations infrastructure by 2035, emphasizing the critical role of communication. Networks designed by Nokia will enable high throughput, low latency, ultra-reliable, and scalable communication capabilities essential for astronaut mobility, mission control communication, data transmission from lunar sensors and cameras, and remote control of robots for automating tasks on the lunar surface.

Thierry E. Klein, President of Nokia Bell Labs Solutions Research, expressed enthusiasm about contributing to DARPA’s next transformative project. By drawing on Bell Labs’ DNA of technological innovation, Nokia aims to craft the communication solutions blueprint for the lunar economy, thereby laying the groundwork for a permanent human presence on the Moon.

Nokia’s involvement in NASA’s Tipping Point initiative further underscores its commitment to space exploration. The deployment of the first cellular network on the Moon in 2024, utilizing 3GPP-based technology, aims to demonstrate the viability of terrestrial communication technologies for future lunar and Martian missions.

This endeavor builds on Nokia Bell Labs’ extensive legacy in space exploration, from facilitating the first communications satellites to discovering cosmic microwave background radiation, evidence of the Big Bang.

Nokia Bell Labs’ participation in DARPA’s LunA-10 program represents a significant milestone in the expansion of human presence beyond Earth. By leveraging its unparalleled expertise in communication technologies and its historic contributions to space exploration, Nokia Bell Labs is uniquely positioned to address the challenges of establishing a sustainable lunar economy. The collaboration with other industry leaders in energy, transport, and construction underscores the integrated approach necessary for this endeavor. As the project progresses towards its mid-2024 conclusion, the insights and infrastructure blueprints provided by Nokia and its partners will be instrumental in shaping the future of lunar exploration and habitation.