A German space startup plans to send tech to the moon that will support mobile communications with earth.
PTScientists (Part-Time Scientists) aims to launch its landing module, along with two rovers, to the moon next year on board the Falcon Rocket – developed by Elon Musk’s SpaceX firm. And through a collaboration with Vodafone the world’s first private mission to the moon will deliver ‘the first mobile data (4G LTE) base-station to the lunar surface’.
“In order for humanity to leave the cradle of earth, we need to develop infrastructures beyond our home planet. With Mission to the Moon we will establish and test the first elements of a dedicated communications network on the Moon,” PTScientists CEO Robert Boehme said in March.
Boehme’s company developed the ALINA landing module, which will establish the wireless connection after making a soft landing on the moon. There will also be two Audi lunar quattro rovers that will roll out and be controlled via the newly established connection (watch Audi’s Mission to the Moon video below). The rovers will ‘send high resolution images back to the earth’.
And last week PTScientists announced a new partnership with the International University of Rabat (UIR), which will give students an opportunity to the work on the 2018 Mission to the Moon. It also adds an academic partner to the mix, alongside the technical backing provided by Vodafone and Audi.
“PTScientists are delighted to have a new partner on this unique journey, and we look forward to helping inspire a new generation of rocket scientists and explorers with UIR.” added Boehme.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hNa8uiNdR8
