Space·1 October 2026·1 min readTechnical readSource-backed

NASA Awards $38 Million Contract to Modulate Space Corporation to Develop Lunar 5G Communications System

cropped nasa meatball 1 — NASA — Recently Published

WIREUNWIRED BRIEF

NASA has awarded a firm-fixed-price contract valued at approximately $38 million to Modulate Space Corporation to develop key elements of a 5G communications system featuring built-in Wi-Fi 6 for the lunar surface. Managed for NASA's Glenn Research Center in Cleveland, the initiative is titled the 5G System and Lunar Surface Communications Evaluation and Radio Propagation Measurements contract.

The accelerated project is divided into two primary work areas designed to build a scalable, standards-based communications capability to support future Moon Base surface operations. These include the 5G Network-in-a-Box Development and Lab Demonstration, and the Lunar 5G and Wi-Fi Integrated Surface Network and Flight Demonstration on the Lunar Surface.

Through these demonstrations, NASA will acquire hardware, firmware, and software technology development, gaining system architecture insight and operational performance data while securing flexibility to evolve the technology for future lunar missions.

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SOURCE & ATTRIBUTION

NASA — Recently Published

Original author: Gerelle Q. Dodson

Original publication: 1 October 2026 02:11

Read full story on NASA — Recently Published ↗

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STORY TITLE:
NASA Awards $38 Million Contract to Modulate Space Corporation to Develop Lunar 5G Communications System
SOURCE:
NASA — Recently Published
ORIGINAL URL:
https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-awards-contract-to-develop-5g-communications-for-moon/

SOURCE EXCERPT:
NASA has awarded Modulate Space Corporation a contract to develop key elements of a 5G communications system for use on the lunar surface with built-in Wi-Fi 6, for NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Cleveland. This accelerated effort is organized into two primary work areas that together will develop a scalable, standards-based communications capability designed to [&#8230;]

Last updated 1 October 2026 02:24

Original sourceNASA — Recently Published ↗