Nokia Bell Labs’ Surface Communications System had a significant milestone when it landed on the Moon aboard the Athena lander, but one of its primary goals remains unfulfilled: the first cellular phone call on the Moon. The mission faced a setback when the Athena Lander landed on its side, preventing it from generating the necessary power to complete the call. The lander’s misalignment meant its solar panels were positioned incorrectly, leaving it unable to recharge. Despite this setback, there are positive developments to report.
Nokia was part of the IM-2 mission, which aimed to deploy the first 4G/LTE network on the lunar surface. The network has successfully been established in the Moon’s south pole region, enabling the transmission of operational data to both Intuitive Machine’s ground station and Nokia’s mission control center back on Earth. Before the lander lost power, the Surface Communications System completed several tests within a short 25-minute window. In space exploration, achievements are often a mix of big and small successes.
Nokia expressed pride in having delivered the first cellular network on the Moon despite the challenging conditions. Thierry E. Klein, President of Bell Labs Solutions Research at Nokia, mentioned that if the modules had functioned correctly, they would likely have accomplished the first-ever cellular call on the Moon. Even though the mission didn’t fully meet its objectives, it demonstrates that commercial technology can be adapted for lunar conditions. While Nokia may take the spotlight regarding the failed call, it is Intuitive Machines that faces more considerable repercussions, as its Athena module’s malfunction resulted in a significant decline in its stock value.