Nokia’s 4G Network on the Moon Fails Due to Landing Issues

Nokia’s attempt to deploy the first 4G LTE network on the moon as part of the IM-2 mission faced setbacks when Intuitive Machines’ Athena lander failed to land upright. The mission was intended to support NASA’s Artemis III in 2027 by enabling communication between rovers and astronauts through a compact system called Network in a Box (NIB). Despite the failure, Nokia claims partial success, having validated key aspects of the network during the 25 minutes it remained operational. The lander’s solar panels couldn’t recharge due to its sideways position and unfavorable conditions at the lunar south pole. The mission’s objective included data transmission from rovers to Earth via a satellite link. While the 4G system was optimized for space with lighter materials and thermal management solutions, it was not designed to survive the lunar night. Nokia plans to continue testing on Earth ahead of future missions.