KIANEWS Whether it's the Metaverse, smart cities or the Moon
21. 02. 2023 Tuesday / By: Robert Denes / Generic / Exact time: BST / Print this page
In this video, listen to Nokia CEO Pekka Lundmark talk about why the first network on the Moon is a vital step towards the future of space exploration and how the metaverse enables cities to become "smart".
At the end of the year, one of NASA's missions plans to land near Shackleton Crater on the south pole of the Moon. Temperatures there can drop as low as -183C, making it inhospitable to humans, but it also means that if there is water ice anywhere on the Moon, it's probably there. And water means a longer lunar mission and one day a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.
Connectivity is all about new frontiers. Hear from Nokia President and CEO @PekkaLundmark on why the first network on the Moon is a vital step toward the future of space exploration and how the #metaverse will enable cities to become ‘smart’.
— Nokia (@nokia) February 21, 2023
▶️ https://t.co/fzqnymHKIW pic.twitter.com/JEAZaBqNC7
Nokia is part of NASA's Tipping Point program, a collaboration with industry to create the technology needed for space missions. This year's mission will bring a number of tools to the moon, including a lander and a rover. Nokia is bringing the network to the moon so that the module and the rover can talk to each other.
Our technology allows mission managers to remotely control the rover while transmitting real-time video and critical information to Mission Control. Once completed, the mission will demonstrate that cellular technologies can meet the critical communications needs of future space exploration.
Shackleton Crater is located at the South Pole and the low angle of the Sun will have a big impact on how the mission works. At this latitude, even small rocks can cast very long shadows and shadow the rover. If this takes too long, the rover can cool down enough to break down. In addition, the rover must also avoid areas without coverage, such as behind a hill or inside a crater.
To account for these factors, Nokia performs extensive simulations to evaluate the landing site and plan the rover's paths so it stays in sunlight and maintains contact.
And that's just the beginning. Nokia engineers work with NASA to ensure our electronics can withstand cosmic radiation, lunar dust, and the effects of extreme G-forces, especially during rocket launches.
Despite the challenges, the rewards are huge. The first network on the Moon is a vital step towards the future of space exploration and even human life outside of Earth, and will improve our understanding of how networks work anywhere, even in harsh environments.
