The Moon Is Getting Cell Service

NASA wants any future lunar inhabitants to have a great 4G data plan.

Zero Bars

NASA wants any human presence on the Moon to have a great cell signal, so it's investing in a lunar 4G network.

The Space Agency gave Nokia's Bell Labs a $14.1 million in grant money to build out the Moon's telecom infrastructure, Business Insider reports. With the goal of having a network up and running by 2030, the goal is to get a network in place that could help any sort of outpost on the Moon manage life off-world.

Roaming

NASA wants anyone on a Moon base to be able to use the network to navigate their area — sort of like how we look up directions — as well as stream video messages and remotely steer rovers and other space robots, Business Insider reports.

"This mission will validate the future of other operational deployments and the potential for human habitation on the moon," Bell Labs tweeted last week.

Moon Base Operational

The planned 4G network is just one of several investments NASA made recently with the goal of setting up a long-term base of operations on the Moon and, eventually, beyond.

"Together, NASA and industry are building up an array of mission-ready capabilities to support a sustainable presence on the Moon and future human missions to Mars," NASA administrator Jim Bridenstine said in a press release.

READ MORE: NASA gave Nokia $14.1 million to build a 4G network on the moon [Business Insider]

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