Webinar: Radio Astronomy in the Era of Lunar Communications Networks
B. Ashley Zauderer-VanderLey
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation (NSF) will host a webinar on 27 October 2021 from 3:00 to 4:30 pm ET on the topic of impacts to current Earth-based and future lunar-surface-based radio astronomy as lunar communications networks are tested and deployed. NSF encourages participation from members of the astronomy community to initiate discussion on radio astronomy operations in the era of lunar communications networks.
The agenda includes opening presentations on the existing regulatory framework for the shielded zone of the Moon and on concepts for future lunar radio astronomy and future lunar communications networks, followed by presentations from NASA and Nokia on their recent NASA Space Tech Public-Private Partnership Tipping Point Award to conduct the first test of LTE/4G wireless communication network on the lunar surface. NASA and Nokia will present specifics on the proposed technology demonstration. The capability is envisioned to provide robust lunar surface communications at greater distances, increased data rates, and more flexibility than other wireless solutions, accelerating the development and adoption of LTE for proximity communications for future lunar missions.
This webinar is an opportunity for the radio astronomy community to ask questions about the Tipping Point Award to Nokia, to consider conducting spectrum coexistence studies that coincide with the LTE/4G demonstration deployment, and to learn about concepts for future lunar radio astronomy and future lunar communications networks.
The webinar will conclude with an opportunity for a Q&A of the panelists.