NASA has awarded Modulate Space Corporation a $38 million contract to develop a 5G and Wi-Fi 6 communications system for lunar surface operations, with testing set to begin in 2028. The project, managed by NASA’s Glenn Research Center, aims to create a scalable, standards-based network for future Moon missions.
NASA’s announcement on September 30, 2026, marks a pivotal step in preparing for sustained lunar exploration. The contract, valued at approximately $38 million, assigns Modulate Space Corporation the task of building a 5G and Wi-Fi 6 network framework for testing at the Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. This initiative is structured into two primary work areas: the development of a 5G Network-in-a-Box and a Lunar 5G and Wi-Fi Integrated Surface Network. Both components are designed to support high-bandwidth transmissions, unified wireless protocols, and modular architecture for future lunar infrastructure.
The contract, titled 5G System and Lunar Surface Communications Evaluation and Radio Propagation Measurements,
is a firm-fixed-price agreement. These timelines highlight the phased approach to testing hardware, firmware, and software in simulated lunar environments before potential deployment.
According to NASA, the network will integrate commercial 5G standards with Wi-Fi 6 protocols, enabling both long-range surface links and localized connectivity. Engineers at the Glenn Research Center will oversee testing, ensuring the system withstands extreme temperatures and radiation while delivering low-latency transmission. The modular design allows for future upgrades, aligning with NASA’s goal of creating a flexible communications backbone for lunar habitats, robotic landers, and surface assets.
The project’s dual focus areas are critical to its success. The first, 5G Network-in-a-Box Development, emphasizes building surface network infrastructure capable of linking distant assets through unified wireless protocols. The second, Lunar 5G and Wi-Fi Integrated Surface Network, prioritizes the integration of Wi-Fi 6 for short-range local connectivity. This dual strategy ensures both broad coverage and localized data transfer, essential for coordinating robotic missions and human activities on the Moon.
Modulate Space Corporation will work under the direction of NASA Glenn Research Center managers, with project success hinging on initial component verification and stress testing. The agency emphasized that the network architecture must remain adaptable, allowing for updates as new surface equipment is introduced. This flexibility is crucial for supporting evolving lunar missions, from early exploration to potential long-term habitation.
Key personnel involved in the project include Jennifer Dooren, Headquarters, Washington, and Shauntina Lilly, Glenn Research Center, Cleveland, who provided contact details for further information. The contract’s technical scope involves the development of surface network infrastructure capable of handling high-bandwidth transmissions, connecting surface assets, robotic landers, and future habitats through unified wireless protocols. Integration of Wi-Fi 6 alongside 5G infrastructure enables short-range local wireless connectivity to directly interface with broader surface coverage networks.
NASA Awards Contract for Lunar 5G and Wi-Fi Network
Engineering at the Glenn Research Center is divided into two accelerated technical work streams, as outlined in the contract. These streams focus on the development of commercial 5G standards for long-range surface links and the implementation of Wi-Fi 6 protocols for localized hardware connections. The project is managed through NASA Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, with teams tasked with ensuring the system meets the stringent requirements of space operations, including resistance to extreme temperature fluctuations and radiation.
The contract specifies that the network architecture must remain modular to accommodate future surface equipment updates. This framework establishes the foundational structure for data transfer, voice links, and video streaming between surface components and primary relays. NASA’s selection of Modulate Space Corporation highlights the agency’s commitment to utilizing established global industry architecture, reducing specialized manufacturing requirements through the use of commercial cellular standards.
Testing and validation will occur in simulated lunar environments, with engineers at the Glenn Research Center overseeing hardware validation. The project’s success depends on rigorous stress testing of components, ensuring reliability under the harsh conditions of the lunar surface. While the sources do not specify whether the demonstrations will lead to a finalized lunar communications standard, the initiative represents a significant step toward enabling sustained lunar exploration and operations.
For more information about NASA and agency programs, visit: https://www.nasa.gov. Contact details for NASA headquarters and the Glenn Research Center are available via Jennifer Dooren (jennifer.m.dooren@nasa.gov) and Shauntina Lilly (shauntina.d.lilly@nasa.gov). The project’s progress will be monitored through the specified performance periods, with outcomes expected to inform future lunar communication strategies and technological advancements.