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Photos: Lunar mobile phones preparing to soar
Astronauts phone home

By Nick Heath

Published: Monday 25 February 2008

Astronauts and robots exploring the moon's surface will only be a text message away after the full system - which will be similar to the Inmarsat, seen here in a mock-up, network on Earth - goes live later this century.

The satellite system should ensure a full four-bar signal for lunar colonists living in the base Nasa wants to build at the south pole of the moon after 2020.

Photo credit: BAE Systems