From networks to biometrics: NASA gets cellular coverage for the moon



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From networks to biometrics: NASA gets cellular coverage for the moon

The Finnish company Nokia has been named as a partner in NASA’s efforts to begin extended human exploration of the moon by 2024. Nokia has been awarded a $ 14.1 million contract to build an LTE / 4G network on the surface of the moon, a network that will help keep astronauts safe through the use of biometric data.

Many jokes can be made about cell phone coverage on the Moon, but a proper and reliable communication network is serious business for astronauts who will be living for long periods of time on the Moon and exploring its surface. One of the key functions of the network will be to support the “exchange of biometric data”.

“Whether our astronauts travel to the surface aboard a modern human landing system, explore during a moonwalk, roam in the LTV, work in a mobile home on the Moon, or even aboard the Gateway in lunar orbit, the Communication is critical between Earth and between the crew in all these planned activities for the Artemis program, ”NASA officials wrote in a blog post.

Communication involves more than verbal and visual communication, but also telemetry and biometric data. The Artemis program will have astronauts living on the surface of the moon for long periods of time and also participating in various scientific activities. One of the key components will be a new generation of astronaut space suits that can withstand temperatures ranging from minus 250 degrees Fahrenheit to over 250 degrees Fahrenheit in the sun. The suits go through a design process that has stringent requirements such as plasma protection, bodily waste management systems, CO2 removal systems, heat and humidity management, and many other environmental factors.

NASA is conducting a comprehensive program to expand the use of real-time system, operational and physiological data during moonwalk operations to improve crew health and performance. The 4G network would be expected to transmit a variety of types of biometric data, including musculoskeletal body loads within the suit, which can be measured with wearable sensor systems, as well as measuring how many times a suit joint (at the knees ) or waist, for example), and the amount of torque used during different tasks, and tracking metabolic data to accurately track oxygen uptake and availability based on different types of activity (such as lifting or walking ).

Ultimately, the data is also transmitted through NASA’s “United Networks” with operations centers on Earth that have built models for exploration activities. The data collected from the astronauts will be compared to the models to minimize injuries and maximize the safety of the astronauts.

Article topics

biometric data | biometrics | follow-up | Nokia | real-time biometrics



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