Since we all likely had one of these literally… indestructible brick phones from Nokia in the 1990s, I have to laugh with you — at this one. Per CNN, then — the more whimsical part of this Intuitive Machines “drill for water” mission… is this. I was unaware (until my live cast, earlier tonight) that part of this lunar science packet includes a hardware module to throw up a Nokia “test net” cellular service / and beacon, near the South Pole of the Moon. WTH?!

This is a secondary, demonstration only package — which was partnered with Nokia — and it will attempt to set a lunar cellular phone network in place. The goal is (at some distant future date) to be able to use it — in lieu of two way radio transmissions — back to Earth, should we establish longer term human outposts on the Moon (as I say, at least two decades from now):

…The Lunar Outpost rover and Grace hopper will also each test out the use of cellular network devices on the moon as part of a NASA-sponsored experiment spearheaded by Nokia.

All told, the IM-2 Athena lander is expected to operate for about 10 days on the moon….

That’s… just wild. Truly wild — from indestructible brick phones 30 years ago — to cell calls, now — all over the Moon?! What a world, indeed.

नमस्ते