NASA Awarded $38 Million Lunar Network Contract

The space agency selected Modulate Space Corporation to develop a 5G and Wi-Fi 6 communications system for the Moon.

Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Telecommunications

NASA Awarded $38 Million Lunar Network Contract

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NASA has awarded a $38 million contract to Modulate Space Corporation to build an advanced communications network on the lunar surface. The project will deploy both 5G and Wi-Fi 6 technologies to enable reliable data transmission for future moon base operations.

Why it matters

Current lunar communications depend on Earth-based relays that introduce significant latency, complicating real-time coordination during space missions. This new system seeks to provide a scalable foundation for operational lunar infrastructure in the 2030s.

The system utilizes a dual-standard architecture combining 5G for long-range links and Wi-Fi 6 for high-density, short-range connections. The contract covers the integrated development of specialized lunar-grade hardware, firmware, and software.

The players

NASA

The United States government agency responsible for the nation's civilian space program and aeronautics research.

Modulate Space Corporation

The private aerospace firm contracted to engineer the lunar communications hardware and software systems.

Glenn Research Center

A major NASA facility located in Cleveland that provides oversight for aerospace research and technology development projects.

The details

Overseen by the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the project will move through two distinct phases of development. Researchers will first complete lab-based validation before transitioning to a full lunar flight demonstration.

Phase 1 development and testing begins on October 1, 2025.
Phase 1 development and testing ends on January 31, 2028.
The lunar flight demonstration begins on November 30, 2028.
The lunar flight demonstration ends on December 31, 2028.

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The Tech Race

This initiative represents a strategic migration of terrestrial wireless standards like 5G and Wi-Fi 6 to an extraterrestrial environment. By replacing legacy Earth-relay systems, this technology positions the agency to secure a scalable communications backbone for long-term lunar habitation.

While this project focuses on lunar infrastructure, the development of specialized hardware and low-latency firmware could eventually yield performance improvements for wireless protocols used on Earth. Consumers may see these innovations trickle down into future iterations of terrestrial network equipment.

The takeaway

This project marks a shift from relying on Earth-to-Moon relays toward autonomous, high-speed lunar data networks. Future lunar missions will require this increased bandwidth to support the complex data processing expected during the 2030s.