Lunar WiFi Access Point (LWiFi AP)

With increasing interest in lunar exploration, there is an escalating need for robust communication systems, particularly the initiation of NASA's Artemis program and Commercial Lunar Payload Services. NASA has a technology need for the lunar communication architecture including SWaP-efficient 3GPP hardware and WiFi deployable as hosted payloads on habitats, rovers, Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), landers, and orbital assets. NASA has specified WiFi throughout the Artemis program. Examples of Artemis systems and subsystems where NASA specifies WiFi include: Human Landing System, CLPS, Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services, the Habitation and Logistics Module and airlock on Lunar Gateway. There is demonstrated high demand for a space-rated WiFi Access Points and WiFi network/client cards in the NASA Artemis and CLPS contractor community. The major critical gaps between the state of the art and the technology needed include space qualification of terrestrial hardware and standards for the lunar environment (with low SWaP), especially radiation tolerance. Other environmental concerns include survivability at extreme temperatures. To address these needs, Solstar Space Company proposes to develop a new Lunar WiFi Access Point (LWIFI-AP) for CLPS and the Artemis Program. This device will support multi-mode, multi-protocol and multi-band communications as required for WIFi other communications services. Through this proposal Solstar can support several applications in a lunar communications architecture consisting of surface assets e.g., astronauts, robotic rovers, vehicles, and Gateway.