NASA awards about $38 million for lunar 5G development
NASA’s September 30 contract announcement names Modulate Space Corporation to develop lunar communications technology combining 5G and Wi-Fi 6.
What the record says
The firm-fixed-price contract covers hardware, firmware and software development for future lunar surface operations. One work area includes a network-in-a-box laboratory demonstration through January 2028; another includes an integrated surface network and lunar flight demonstration through December 2028.
Source details and supporting locations.
Practical next step
NASA’s contract release provides the development scope and planned performance periods.
Limits and what is not established
These are contracted development and demonstration plans, not evidence that an operational lunar network has been deployed. The award was announced September 30, not today.
Sources checked October 16, 2026. Later notices may change instructions or arrangements.