Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communications System was supposed to be the first 4G network deployed on the moon and a test for future crewed missions. Things didn’t go to plan.
An important point to remember with these IM landers is they’re attempting to land on much rougher terrain than anything we’ve accomplished so far, and it’s attempting to do so autonomously by constantly snapping photos and analyzing them in real time to determine a safe landing spot. This was just their second attempt, I wouldn’t count them out yet.
Headline is misleading. The Nokia hardware worked fine; it’s the host vehicle from Intuitive Machines that tipped over and ran out of power.
God damnit. I thought it was gonna be interesting. Thanks for the warning.
Wait isn’t intuitive the one that tipped over last time as well?
That’s correct. IM-1 in Feb 2024 and IM-2 in Mar 2025 both ended with tipped-over landers.
That… seems like a poor design.
It’s a rock and sand desert. There never was wind to even out the surface. It’s a challenge to find level ground big enough for a lander.
An important point to remember with these IM landers is they’re attempting to land on much rougher terrain than anything we’ve accomplished so far, and it’s attempting to do so autonomously by constantly snapping photos and analyzing them in real time to determine a safe landing spot. This was just their second attempt, I wouldn’t count them out yet.