NASA’s $38 million lunar 5G contract separates laboratory development from surface demonstration

NASA announced on 30 September a roughly $38 million firm-fixed-price contract with Modulate Space Corporation to develop key elements of lunar 5G communications, integrating Wi-Fi 6. The work supports future surface operations and is managed for Glenn Research Center.

One work area covers development and laboratory demonstration from 1 October to 31 January 2028. A second covers an integrated surface network and lunar flight demonstration, from 30 November to 31 December 2028. These are contract performance periods, not dates for a public network launch.

The effort involves hardware, firmware and software, as well as assessment of architecture and operational performance. Established terrestrial standards provide a starting point; the intended environment still requires testing.

NASA’s project description identifies communication between explorers and with science teams on Earth as a requirement of expanded lunar activity. South-polar terrain includes craters and mountains, making connectivity part of mission operations.

The contract links development with two stages of demonstration. The useful next evidence will concern capabilities achieved and the conditions in which they work, rather than the label of bringing 5G to the Moon.

Sources: NASA · 2026-09-30 · NASA Lunar 5G project · updated 2026-10-01