What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Solstar Space has been awarded a $150,000 SBIR Phase 1 contract by NASA to design a WiFi network on the Moon. This network aims to support the communications needs of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) and Artemis missions. Solstar's founder and CEO, Brian Barnett, highlighted the challenges of establishing WiFi on the Moon, including extreme temperatures, lunar dust, and high radiation levels. The company plans to design a proprietary operating system for long-distance IT fixes. The WiFi network will enable communication among landers, rovers, spacesuits, sensors, and scientific experiments, as well as provide connectivity for astronauts in habitats.
Why It's Important?
The development of a lunar WiFi network is crucial for the success of future lunar missions, as it facilitates communication and data transfer among various mission components. This connectivity is essential for the operation of scientific instruments, navigation systems, and astronaut communications. By enabling efficient communication, the WiFi network can reduce the time astronauts spend outside, enhancing safety and mission efficiency. Solstar's experience in space communications, including sending the first commercial tweet from space, positions the company as a key player in the emerging lunar economy.
What's Next?
Solstar plans to design two versions of the WiFi access point: one for two-week CLPS missions and another for long-duration Artemis missions lasting up to five years. The company is also collaborating with Momentus to demonstrate the first commercial WiFi hotspot in low Earth orbit (LEO) in 2026. These developments could lead to more robust communication systems for future lunar and space missions, potentially influencing the design and operation of lunar habitats and exploration vehicles.
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