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Nokia selected by NASA to build cellular network on the moon

reuters.com

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Re: Nokia selected by NASA to build cellular network on the moon

#81

Post by secondcoming »

Nokinside wrote: post #39

Radiation environment on the moon is worse than in the LEO. Earth's magnetic field is not protecting in the Moon. It's unclear how much rad-hard they need if they don't use it for anything safety critical. Rad-hard 90nm SoC for 4G/LTE should be relatively straightforward. Or maybe they use redundancy and use already available few generation old chipsets. Changes for thermal management and testing eats most of the bud…

Couldn't they just bury the box containing the circuitry under a few feet of lunar soil?

Re: Nokia selected by NASA to build cellular network on the moon

#82

Post by ehnto »

bouncycastle wrote: post #18

If there is intelligent life somewhere out there, when they travel to space, I wonder if they also insist on operating technology that is at least one generation back, for the reason of "proven reliability"? I'd say probably yes. If we ever get a visit from them, that "shmux semiconductor" will be the old model...

Given the nature of space travel, it will likely be a very old model indeed. Unless they have FTL!

Re: Nokia selected by NASA to build cellular network on the moon

#84

Post by [deleted] »

bouncycastle wrote: post #18

If there is intelligent life somewhere out there, when they travel to space, I wonder if they also insist on operating technology that is at least one generation back, for the reason of "proven reliability"? I'd say probably yes. If we ever get a visit from them, that "shmux semiconductor" will be the old model...

[deleted]

Re: Nokia selected by NASA to build cellular network on the moon

#86

Post by secondcoming »

reaperducer wrote: post #23
can16358p wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Imagine accidentally calling an astronaut. Or doing FaceTime/Zoom with them on the moon. It would be interesting.

"I have great news about the extended warranty on your moon buggy!"

"According to our records you've been involved in an accident..."

(Maybe that's UK only)

Re: Nokia selected by NASA to build cellular network on the moon

#87

Post by anticensor »

reaperducer wrote: post #20

Does this mean the ITU is going to assign the moon a country code? I vote for +6666 (MOON). Who decides what parts of the moon get what area codes? Imagine how long it will take to get Orange to instal a landline in a crater!

What about +CCC?

Re: Nokia selected by NASA to build cellular network on the moon

#88

Post by humanistbot »

Bhilai wrote: post #67

Dumb question: What gives NASA the authority to build anything on the moon?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outer_Space_Treaty

Article IV says: "The use of any equipment or facility necessary for peaceful exploration of the moon and other celestial bodies shall also not be prohibited."

Re: Nokia selected by NASA to build cellular network on the moon

#89

Post by anticensor »

snypher wrote: post #53
timdux wrote: post #43

All terrestrial base stations (1) require GPS signal for time synchronization. Most of them can run for 4 hours - 24 hours without GPS, but that's it, after that holdover period it's dead. There is no GPS signal on the moon. That's a problem. (1) except micro base stations

It's a problem being worked on, but it should be possible to use the existing GPS satellites on Moon. Also, given it is just being used as a time source and not for navigation, it should be possible to make a moon-based time signal with less hardware units? https://www.nasa.gov/feature/goddard/2019/nasa-eyes-gps-at-t...

Low lunar orbits are unfortunately too unstable.

Re: Nokia selected by NASA to build cellular network on the moon

#90

Post by leetcrew »

sobellian wrote: post #76
ampdepolymerase wrote: post #70

Earlier quoted context omitted.

By being in a country that is a nuclear armed superpower with veto rights on the UN Security Council. Stuff like outer space treaty only matters when the bigger players are willing enforce it.

As far as I know the outer space treaty only prevents the construction of military installations, but civilian construction would be perfectly lawful under the treaty.

it's fairly limited. only WMDs are explicitly prohibited. other weapons (eg, anti-satellite) are a grey area AFAIK. recon satellites and facilities for military research are fair game.
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