NASA Awarded $38 Million Lunar Network Contract
Modulate Space Corporation will test 5G and Wi-Fi 6 on the Moon to support future lunar base operations.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Telecommunications
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NASA has awarded a $38 million contract to Modulate Space Corporation to develop and demonstrate a lunar communications network. The project, which is currently in the development stage, will feature a flight demonstration of integrated 5G and Wi-Fi 6 technologies on the Moon.
Why it matters
The deployment of local lunar networks addresses current latency issues caused by relying on long-range Earth-based relay links. Establishing this infrastructure is a necessary step for enabling real-time coordination during future crewed Moon Base operations in the 2030s.
The system features a $38 million contract budget to engineer hardware for a 238,000-mile link. It uses a dual-standard architecture, pairing 5G for long-range connectivity with Wi-Fi 6 for high-density, short-range data exchange.
The players
NASA
The United States federal agency responsible for the civil space program and oversight of the lunar communications contract through its Glenn Research Center.
Modulate Space Corporation
The private aerospace developer awarded the $38 million contract to build the lunar 5G and Wi-Fi 6 network infrastructure.
The details
The project utilizes a dual-standard approach where 5G acts as the backbone for long-range data links, while Wi-Fi 6 handles high-density, short-range connections between assets. Development of the required hardware, firmware, and software occurs in two phases, starting with lab-based validation. The final step involves a flight demonstration on the lunar surface to verify that these terrestrial wireless protocols can maintain stability in a space environment.
Timeline
October 1, 2025: Phase 1 development and testing begins.
January 31, 2028: Phase 1 development and testing concludes.
November 30, 2028: Lunar flight demonstration begins.
December 31, 2028: Lunar flight demonstration ends.
The Tech Race
This project moves beyond existing Earth-based relay reliance to establish a local lunar network architecture. It marks a shift toward deploying commercial wireless standards in deep space to facilitate the complex operations planned for Moon Base outposts in the 2030s.
This technology will eventually enable high-speed data transmission for lunar surface personnel and autonomous equipment. It replaces high-latency Earth relays with a standard-based mobile network, significantly improving the real-time control capabilities of remote lunar assets.
The takeaway
The transition to terrestrial-derived wireless protocols on the Moon represents a major effort to scale lunar exploration. Observers should track the outcome of the flight demonstration scheduled for late 2028 as a primary benchmark for future deep-space network feasibility.
What happens next
The project will conclude its initial phase of lab-based validation on January 31, 2028, followed by a scheduled lunar flight demonstration taking place between November 30 and December 31, 2028.
Further reading
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Source note: This article includes information reported by Ecoportal.
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