Astronauts have crossed the lunar surface, collected rocks and driven a car on the Moon. Yet according to a signal detected by amateur radio enthusiasts, humanity’s most exclusive network may still be sitting there with full bars and no guest password.
NETWORK: LUNAR_GUEST
The signal appeared during a routine scan and vanished twelve minutes later. Its name could have been generated by terrestrial interference. Its strength, enthusiasts argue, was “emotionally suspicious.”
Signal strength: excellent. Internet access: unknown. Password: protected. Tech support: approximately 238,900 miles away.
UNVERIFIED SSID
NASA WILL NOT GIVE US THE PASSWORD
We asked NASA whether any lunar equipment operates wireless networks. The agency provided information about communications systems but, crucially, did not send us a password. We asked again using “please.”
THE OBVIOUS SECURITY RISK
Cybersecurity experts say an open lunar network would be irresponsible. This is reasonable. It also means the Moon may have better IT policy than our newsroom, where the Wi-Fi password has been written on the refrigerator since 2023.