Establishing a permanent presence on the Moon will require more than rovers and landing vehicles. Reliable electricity , communications , and data services will be just as important, particularly near the lunar south pole, where challenging terrain and long periods of darkness complicate operations. Astrolab is developing a new infrastructure system to address these problems, with its first deployment planned for 2028. The company has introduced the Lunar Utility Module for Industrial Services (LUMIS), a solar-powered node designed to supply energy, wireless connectivity, and data processing capabilities to equipment operating on the lunar surface. For eeNews Europe readers, LUMIS offers an interesting look at the electronics and power systems needed for future lunar exploration. Its combination of solar generation, energy storage, wireless power transfer, and edge computing could help support operations far beyond individual landing sites. Building a Lunar Power Network Each initial LUMIS demonstration node is designed to generate 2 kW of electrical power. Astrolab plans to increase this capacity to 20 kW in future versions, with interconnected installations potentially delivering more than 100 kW. The system combines a vertical solar array, batteries, communications transceivers, and onboard computing hardware. It is also designed to provide wireless power transfer for surface equipment. According to Astrolab, a LUMIS node could operate for more than 400 hours using its internal energy reserves while continuing to support external payloads. One important feature is that the nodes do not need to remain where they land. Astrolab’s FLEX rover can transport them across the lunar surface and position them where solar exposure and communications coverage are more favorable. This flexibility matters near the Moon’s south pole. Astrolab notes that moving equipment just 50 meters can significantly change its exposure to sunlight or its visibility of Earth. Wi-Fi, 5G and Long-Range Lunar Communications Beyond power generation, LUMIS is intended to establish a communications network for robotic equipment and future human operations. The nodes will support local Wi-Fi and 5G connectivity, high-bandwidth direct-to-Earth communications, and long-range links between installations. Astrolab is particularly interested in the Shackleton–de Gerlache connecting ridge, where limited visibility of Earth presents communications challenges. By positioning relay nodes at elevated locations such as Malapert Massif or Mons Mouton, the company proposes linking equipment on the ridge to Earth through a network spanning more than 100 kilometers. Such infrastructure could allow rovers to transmit scientific data, recharge batteries, and coordinate operations without requiring every vehicle to maintain its own direct connection to Earth. First Deployment Targeted for 2028 LUMIS forms part of Astrolab’s newly introduced Lunar Operating System (LUNAR OS), which combines the company’s FLEX rovers with power, communications, and data services. The company envisions customers accessing this shared infrastructure rather than developing separate systems for each mission. Astrolab plans to deploy its first LUMIS node in 2028 during a commercial FLEX mission aboard SpaceX’s Starship. The longer-term objective is to establish a network that can support increasingly demanding lunar activities, including scientific research, robotic exploration, and equipment for processing local resources. If deployed as planned, LUMIS could provide an early example of how distributed power electronics and communications infrastructure might support sustained operations on the Moon. The post Astrolab Plans Lunar Power and Communications Network for 2028 appeared first on eeNews Europe .