NASA Funds Growth of Lunar Wi-Fi Network for Artemis Missions
WASHINGTON D.C. - NASA has awarded Solstar Space a $150,000 Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) phase I contract to develop a Lunar Wi-Fi Access Point (LWIFI-AP),the agency announced this week.The project aims to establish wireless connectivity for astronauts, lunar rovers, and orbiting spacecraft supporting the Artemis programme and Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiatives.
The LWIFI-AP system will be engineered to withstand the extreme challenges of the lunar surroundings, including intense radiation and drastic temperature fluctuations. Solstar’s design focuses on a space-rated,multi-band,multi-protocol access point,leveraging established Wi-Fi and 3GPP standards identified by NASA as crucial for future lunar missions. These standards will support a range of systems, from the Human Landing System and Lunar Terrain Vehicle to the Lunar Gateway.
According to NERDS.xyz, the contract addresses a significant need for specialized networking hardware capable of operating in space. Solstar believes that reliable wireless communication will be as vital for lunar operations as it is for daily life on Earth, enabling seamless data transfer and operational efficiency.
“Just as Wi-Fi transformed daily life on Earth, it will be equally significant for living and working on the Moon,” a Solstar representative stated.
This initial contract represents an early stage in the project’s development. If successful, the technology could become a cornerstone of communication infrastructure for sustained lunar exploration and eventual habitation.
