The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has chosen Nokia Bell Labs to participate in the LunA-10 Capability Study, a significant recognition of Nokia’s expertise in space-based communications and network architectures.
The initiative aims to design a communications infrastructure to support and advance a future lunar economy, focusing on areas like energy, transport, and construction on the Moon.
Nokia Bell Labs brings its extensive experience in creating advanced network architectures to the project. This includes their ongoing work on establishing the first cellular network on the Moon, showcasing their leadership in space innovation.
Nokia Bell Labs, along with 13 other selected organizations, will be instrumental in devising a reliable and high-performance communications framework for the lunar surface.
The program targets to provide a comprehensive blueprint by mid-2024, with the goal of supporting commercial operations on the Moon by 2035. This endeavor is a pivotal step in space exploration and the development of a habitable lunar environment.
DARPA selects Nokia for LunA-10 lunar communications project
Nokia Bell Labs to forge communications infrastructure for lunar economy by 2035
At a glance
Nokia Bell Labs, a leading research organization, has been chosen by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to participate in the LunA-10 Capability Study to design a communications infrastructure for a future lunar economy. This selection highlights Nokia Bell Labs' expertise in futuristic network architectures and its leadership in advanced space-based communications.
DARPA is a United States Department of Defense agency responsible for developing emerging technologies for military use. Established in 1958 in response to the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik, DARPA has played a crucial role in shaping modern technology. Its significance lies in its unique approach to fostering innovation, often focusing on groundbreaking, high-risk projects with potential transformative impacts. DARPA's initiatives have led to notable technological breakthroughs, including the early development of the Internet (then ARPANET), GPS, and autonomous vehicles.
The LunA-10 program is an ambitious initiative by DARPA to establish a multi-service architecture that supports industrial and scientific endeavors on the Moon over the next decade and beyond. Nokia Bell Labs is among 14 elite organizations selected to embark on this groundbreaking journey, signifying a pivotal moment in space exploration and communication technologies.
Nokia's role in the program stems from its extensive experience creating future network architectures and its ongoing project to develop the first cellular network on the Moon. Nokia Bell Labs' involvement with DARPA's LunA-10 continues its longstanding tradition in space innovation, dating back to its contributions to the Mercury Program.
In collaboration with 13 other companies, Nokia Bell Labs will be instrumental in devising a reliable, high-performance communications framework for the lunar surface. This infrastructure will be crucial in supporting commercial activities, such as energy, transport, and construction on the Moon. The program aims to deliver a comprehensive blueprint by mid-2024, outlining the necessary infrastructure to support commercial operations on the Moon by 2035.
Thierry E. Klein, President of Nokia Bell Labs Solutions Research, expressed excitement about the collaboration: "DARPA has been a catalyst for technological breakthroughs, from the Internet's inception to GPS development. Nokia Bell Labs is eager to contribute to DARPA's next significant project, shaping the lunar economy's infrastructure. Our legacy in pushing technology's boundaries will aid in establishing a permanent human presence on the Moon."
Nokia's involvement with NASA's Tipping Point initiative to deploy the first lunar cellular network in 2024 demonstrates the feasibility of 3GPP-based technology for future lunar and Martian missions. Nokia Bell Labs' history in space technology, including the launch of Telstar 1 and contributions to U.S. space programs, underscores its capability and commitment to this new venture. This partnership marks a significant step in space exploration, setting the stage for a more connected and habitable lunar environment.