NASA Chooses Nokia to Build First Mobile Network on the Moon
2020-10-25
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1Nokia says it has been chosen by the American space agency NASA to build the first mobile phone network on the moon.
2The Finnish technology company recently announced that its Nokia Bell Labs division will build the lunar communications system.
3It said NASA will put the equipment on a lunar lander.
4The spacecraft is expected to reach the moon's surface in late 2022.
5Nokia's announcement comes as the space agency continues preparations for sending astronauts to the moon by 2024.
6NASA's Artemis program aims to establish a long-term human presence on the moon as a "warm-up" for future missions to the planet Mars.
7Earlier this month, NASA announced it had awarded $370 million to 14 companies to provide technology for the moon-landing program.
8The money will support studies of cryogenic fluid management and technologies related to energy storage and power production on the moon's surface.
9The space agency also signed a deal for the development and testing of improved lunar landing systems.
10And it is seeking private companies to mine rocks and other resources on the moon.
11The Nokia agreement was included in NASA's latest awards to private companies.
12The space agency said it is paying the company $14.1 million to build the mobile network.
13Nokia said its network will provide critical communications for work astronauts will need to perform on the moon.
14This will include remote control of lunar vehicles and other equipment, real-time navigation activities and high-quality video streaming.
15The equipment includes a base station, antennas and computer software programs.
16All the equipment will be designed to survive difficult launches, lunar landings and extreme conditions in space.
17Nokia said the equipment is designed to configure, or set up, the 4G/LTE communications network on its own.
18Marcus Weldon is Nokia's chief technology officer.
19Weldon said he sees the 4G/LTE system as a necessity to support "a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface."
20The company decided to use 4G instead of 5G, the latest mobile technology, because 4G has been available longer and proven its reliability.
21Nokia said its long-term goal is to move the moon network to 5G technology in the future.
22I'm Bryan Lynn.
1Nokia says it has been chosen by the American space agency NASA to build the first mobile phone network on the moon. 2The Finnish technology company recently announced that its Nokia Bell Labs division will build the lunar communications system. It said NASA will put the equipment on a lunar lander. The spacecraft is expected to reach the moon's surface in late 2022. 3Nokia's announcement comes as the space agency continues preparations for sending astronauts to the moon by 2024. NASA's Artemis program aims to establish a long-term human presence on the moon as a "warm-up" for future missions to the planet Mars. 4Earlier this month, NASA announced it had awarded $370 million to 14 companies to provide technology for the moon-landing program. The money will support studies of cryogenic fluid management and technologies related to energy storage and power production on the moon's surface. 5The space agency also signed a deal for the development and testing of improved lunar landing systems. And it is seeking private companies to mine rocks and other resources on the moon. 6The Nokia agreement was included in NASA's latest awards to private companies. The space agency said it is paying the company $14.1 million to build the mobile network. 7Nokia said its network will provide critical communications for work astronauts will need to perform on the moon. This will include remote control of lunar vehicles and other equipment, real-time navigation activities and high-quality video streaming. 8The equipment includes a base station, antennas and computer software programs. All the equipment will be designed to survive difficult launches, lunar landings and extreme conditions in space. 9Nokia said the equipment is designed to configure, or set up, the 4G/LTE communications network on its own. Marcus Weldon is Nokia's chief technology officer. Weldon said he sees the 4G/LTE system as a necessity to support "a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface." 10The company decided to use 4G instead of 5G, the latest mobile technology, because 4G has been available longer and proven its reliability. 11Nokia said its long-term goal is to move the moon network to 5G technology in the future. 12I'm Bryan Lynn. 13The Associated Press and Reuters reported on this story. Bryan Lynn adapted the reports for VOA Learning English. George Grow was the editor. 14________________________________________________________________ 15Words in This Story 16mobile - adj. able to be moved freely or easily 17mission - n. an important task, usually involving travel somewhere 18cryogenic - adj. related to the scientific study of very low temperatures and how to produce them 19management - n. the control and organization of something 20remote - adj. far away in distance 21navigation - n. the movement and leading of things, such as ships or vehicles 22streaming - n. the activity of listening to or watching sound or video directly from the internet 23antenna - n. a structure made of metal rods or wires, often positioned on top of a building or vehicle, that receives or sends radio or television signals 24sustainable - adj. able to continue over a period of time 25reliability - n. the ability to be trusted or believed