What Modul8 does

Modul8 is a space communications company that designs, develops, and deploys cellular network infrastructure for lunar and planetary surface operations. Originally incubated within Nokia Bell Labs since 2018, the venture was awarded a NASA Tipping Point contract in 2020 to build the first cellular network on the Moon and on March 6, 2025, successfully delivered and activated the world's first operational cellular network on the lunar surface as part of the Intuitive Machines IM-2 mission, operating for approximately 25 minutes while powered. The company is currently being spun out of Nokia via a reverse takeover of Celestial Acquisition Corp., pending TSX Venture Exchange approval, with a C$56.7 million financing (US$40 million in subscription receipts) led by Scotiabank.

The company's core product is the Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), a space-hardened 4G/LTE network-in-a-box that integrates radio, base station, core, security, and routing into a single autonomous unit capable of self-deployment, self-configuration, and self-healing. The system delivers hundreds of Mbps on the lunar surface and tens of Gbps backhaul to Earth — orders of magnitude above legacy UHF/VHF radio — with mobile coverage up to 10 km. Modul8 also produces device modules for integration into spacesuits (partnered with Axiom Space for Artemis III AxEMU suits) and lunar surface vehicles (Lunar Outpost MAPP rover, Intuitive Machines Micro-Nova hopper), and offers complementary services: Infrastructure as a Service, Network & Mission Operations, and Consulting.

Modul8 generates revenue primarily through government contracts (NASA Tipping Point, DARPA LunA-10), strategic technology integration partnerships with commercial space operators (Intuitive Machines, Axiom Space, Lunar Outpost), and technology licensing, with pricing negotiated per-mission rather than published. The company is headquartered in Plano, Texas, with core engineering operations in Sunnyvale, California, and serves government space agencies, commercial space companies, and U.S. defense and national security organizations as its primary customer segments.

Name

Modul8

Legal name

Modul8 Space Innovations (Nokia of America Corporation)

Website

https://modul8space.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2018

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Modul8 designs and deploys space-hardened 4G/LTE cellular network infrastructure for lunar and planetary surface operations, serving NASA, DARPA, and commercial space partners including Intuitive Machines and Axiom Space.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Space Communications Infrastructure

NAICS

Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Other Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336419), Satellite Telecommunications (517410)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Computer Communications Equipment (3576)

akta.pro primary industry

Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

Military Space Systems (Defense Spacecraft) (IMABACAC), Satellite Broadband Terminals & Gateways (VSAT/LEO CPE) (HDAFAIAM)

Keywords

• Lunar communications systems
• Space network infrastructure
• Cellular space technology
• Space mission services
• Government space contracts

Headquarters

HQ city

Plano

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Government Space Contracts: Revenue from NASA Tipping Point contracts and other government space agency programs. NASA awarded Nokia Bell Labs a contract to build the first cellular network on the Moon as part of NASA's Tipping Point initiative, validating the technology for future government missions.
2. Commercial Space Mission Services: Providing communications infrastructure and services for commercial lunar missions. Modul8 delivers Infrastructure as a Service, Network & Mission Operations, and Consulting services for space communication and application challenges.
3. Strategic Partnership Licensing: Technology integration partnerships with space companies like Axiom Space for spacesuit communications and Intuitive Machines for lunar lander integration. Revenue generated through technology licensing and integration services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Modul8 designs, develops, and deploys space-hardened 4G/LTE (and 5G) cellular communications infrastructure for lunar and planetary surface operations, anchored by its Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS) – a compact, autonomous 'network-in-a-box' that connects landers, rovers, habitats, and spacesuits. The company complements this hardware with Infrastructure-as-a-Service, Network & Mission Operations, and Consulting services for space agencies and commercial mission operators.

Product overview

Modul8 is a space communications company that designs, develops, and deploys advanced communications and compute solutions for space environments. The core product is the Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS), a space-hardened 4G/LTE cellular network that includes the Network-in-a-Box (NIB) base station and device modules for integration into rovers, hoppers, and spacesuits. The company offers complementary services including Infrastructure as a Service (design, build, integrate, test and operate) and Network & Mission Operations (real-time monitoring and management). The LSCS supports landers, habitats, rovers, lunar vehicles, and astronaut suits, connecting them via cellular technology adapted from terrestrial telecom standards.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS) A space-hardened 4G/LTE cellular network system designed for lunar surface operations, integrating radio, base station, core, security, and routing into a compact, autonomous 'network-in-a-box' that self-deploys, self-configures, and self-heals; designed for space agencies and commercial mission operators.
• Network-in-a-Box (NIB) A space-hardened base station combining radio, core, security, and routing elements into a single resilient unit that serves as the cell-site for lunar surface cellular communications; designed to be integrated into lunar landers.
• Device Modules for Lunar Vehicles and Spacesuits Radio equipment installed on lunar vehicles (rovers, hoppers) and spacesuits, providing mobile voice and broadband connectivity up to two kilometers from the base station; designed for surface mobility assets and astronaut suits.
• Infrastructure as a Service End-to-end service covering design, build, integration & test, and operation of space communications, compute, and applications for both mobile and permanent installations; targeted at space agencies and commercial space companies.
• Network & Mission Operations Real-time monitoring, troubleshooting, analysis, and management of space communication systems and applications for deployed missions.
• Consulting Services Solution definition, architecture development, feasibility analysis, cost analysis, and proof of concept engagements addressing space communication and application challenges.

Quantifiable outcome

• First cellular network successfully activated on the Moon - March 6, 2025
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• Celestial Acquisition CorpflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2026Modul8 is being spun out via a reverse takeover of Celestial Acquisition Corp, a SPAC, with a C$56.7 million financing including US$40 million in subscription receipts. This transaction, pending TSX Venture Exchange approval, will create an independent public company to accelerate development and deployment of lunar communications technology.
• Axiom SpaceflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 August 2024Modul8 partnered with Axiom Space to integrate its Lunar Surface Communications System (LSCS) into the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU) spacesuits for NASA's Artemis III mission. This partnership enables Artemis III astronauts to communicate via voice and video with NASA Mission Control while exploring the lunar surface, marking the first cellular communications capability for crewed lunar missions.
• DARPAcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 January 2024DARPA selected Nokia Bell Labs to participate in the 10-Year Lunar Architecture (LunA-10) program. The program aims to develop a multi-service infrastructure architecture and design for the future lunar economy, exploring large-scale lunar communications infrastructure beyond individual missions.
• NASAflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020NASA selected Nokia Bell Labs through its Tipping Point initiative to build the first cellular network on the Moon. Modul8 participates in NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, with the IM-2 mission being part of NASA's efforts to validate commercial technologies for future Artemis missions.
• Intuitive MachinesflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for the IM-2 mission where Modul8's cellular network is integrated into Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lunar lander (Athena). The network provides connectivity between the lander and lunar surface vehicles including the MAPP rover and Micro-Nova hopper, demonstrating the viability of cellular communications for space exploration.
• Lunar OutpostcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLunar Outpost's MAPP (Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform) rover connects to Modul8's lunar cellular network, enabling remote command and control from Earth, real-time telemetry and image transmission, and extended exploration range up to 2 km from the landing site during the IM-2 mission.
• Nokia Bell LabsflagshipOthersModul8 originated as a venture within Nokia Bell Labs, leveraging 70+ years of Bell Labs communications innovation including Telstar 1 and contributions to every U.S. crewed space program. The company was founded by the team that created Nokia Bell Labs' space communications business and is being spun out as an independent company.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CesiumAstro: CesiumAstro builds modular communications and compute payloads for spacecraft, including active phased-array antennas and high-throughput satellite systems. It is the closest direct comparable to Modul8 in space-grade communications hardware, although it focuses more on orbital platforms than lunar surface networks.

Broad incumbents

• Iridium Communications: Iridium operates a global L-band satellite communications constellation serving voice and data for aerospace, maritime, and government customers. Comparable as an established non-terrestrial network operator with proven space-hardened communications infrastructure and government/defense customer base.
• Viasat: Viasat provides satellite broadband, in-flight connectivity, and government defense communications using GEO and LEO assets. Comparable as a broad incumbent in non-terrestrial networking with overlapping capabilities around resilient, high-capacity communications for defense and mobility customers.
• SpaceX (Starlink): SpaceX's Starlink operates the world's largest LEO broadband constellation and is extending direct-to-cell services with T-Mobile. Comparable as a non-terrestrial network operator with massive scale in space-based communications, though focused on Earth-orbit broadband rather than lunar surface.
• Honeywell Aerospace: Honeywell Aerospace supplies avionics, satellite communications terminals, and space exploration systems for both NASA and commercial customers. Comparable as a broad incumbent with space communications hardware and integration capabilities spanning crewed and uncrewed missions.
• Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions: Cobham Advanced Electronic Solutions (now part of Transdigm/CAES) supplies RF, microwave, and space-qualified communications electronics for aerospace and defense. Comparable as an incumbent supplier of space-hardened communications components and subsystems to primes and government customers.

Emerging players

• Kymeta: Kymeta develops flat-panel satellite terminals using metamaterials for mobile broadband on land, sea, and air. Comparable as a satellite communications terminal/hardware specialist targeting defense, government, and mobility customers with novel antenna technology.
• Astrocast: Astrocast operates a LEO nanosatellite IoT network for asset tracking in remote environments including maritime, agriculture, and logistics. Comparable as an emerging operator of space-based connectivity services for asset-intensive industries, with similar low-bandwidth, high-reliability use cases.
• Kepler Communications: Kepler builds a LEO satellite network for in-space communications (Aether) and IoT/enterprise connectivity, with planned expansion into lunar/cislunar services. Comparable as an emerging player building next-generation, software-defined satellite communications targeting both terrestrial and space applications.
• Redwire Space: Redwire provides space infrastructure including deployable structures, robotics, and communications subsystems for lunar and cislunar missions. Comparable as an emerging player supplying foundational infrastructure components to NASA and commercial lunar missions, including potential comms-adjacent subsystems.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/in/thierry-klein

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Modul8