6G at $\frac{1}{6}g$: The Future of Cislunar Communications

TL;DR

This paper explores how emerging 6G technologies like reconfigurable surfaces and quantum security could revolutionize communication infrastructure between Earth and lunar orbits, supporting future space exploration.

Contribution

It analyzes the applicability of terrestrial 6G concepts to cislunar networks, highlighting potential technological advancements for space communication infrastructure.

Findings

6G concepts can enhance cislunar communication security and efficiency

Reconfigurable intelligent surfaces could improve signal quality in space

Quantum-resistant security is vital for future space networks

Abstract

What will the future of cislunar communications be? The ever-expanding horizons of the space exploration missions, and the need for establishing sustainable space communication and navigation infrastructure necessitate to think this question thoroughly. In this article, we examine how some of the concepts of 6G technologies developed for terrestrial networks can be relevant in the context of cislunar networks. We discuss how 6G concepts, such as reconfigurable intelligent surfaces, quantum-resistant physical layer security, private information read/write/cache networks, semantic and goal-oriented communications, information freshness based quality of communication metrics, multi-relay and cooperative networks, hold the potential to shape the future of cislunar communications.