An important step for Nokia’s Modul8: a proposed spin-out to launch an independent company
Today we’re sharing an important step in our space communications journey: Nokia has entered into a Definitive Agreement with Celestial Acquisition Corp. (Celestial) to spin-out Nokia’s Space Communication Solutions venture, Modul8, into a new, independent company.
If the transaction is completed, this would give Nokia’s space venture the dedicated structure and funding to move faster, turning breakthrough ideas into real-world capabilities for the growing space economy, while still building on the Nokia engineering excellence behind the work.
About Modul8
Modul8 is the new name and brand for the Space Communication Solutions business currently operating as a venture within Nokia Bell Labs. The Modul8 team builds communications and compute solutions—hardware, software, and services—engineered for the harsh conditions in space. Modul8 is modernizing space communications, bringing proven connectivity from Earth used by billions worldwide to the next frontier.
In March 2025, the Modul8 team deployed and operationalized the first cellular communications network on the Moon as part of the IM-2 mission. Today, Modul8 is engaged with Axiom Space to integrate its lunar surface communications system into the Axiom Extravehicular Mobility Unit (AxEMU), the next-generation spacesuit designed for lunar exploration as part of NASA’s Artemis program.
We’re excited about this next step because the market is moving fast and Modul8 is ready. While the venture is early in its revenue growth curve, an independent path is intended to help the business attract growth capital, move from prototypes to products more quickly, and scale deployments to meet rising demand without losing the Nokia Bell Labs rigor that got us here.
To keep delivering on that promise, the business needs strong funding and a setup built for success in this market. That’s why we’re proposing a new path forward: a structure designed for the booming space economy, with the focus and resources to scale.
- More focus: An operating model designed specifically for the space economy.
- More speed: Clearer access to growth capital to accelerate productization and deployments.
- More reach: Continued advancement of standards-based cellular and optical communications for missions beyond low-earth orbit.
As a major shareholder and original incubator of Modul8, Nokia will continue to play an important role as space and non-terrestrial connectivity (NTN) are increasingly important to future networks, including 6G, because they can extend coverage and resilience by integrating satellites with terrestrial networks. Nokia remains actively involved in space where it supports its core business and customers, including work on NTN.
From innovation to impact
This moment also reflects how Nokia helps bold ideas travel the full distance from breakthrough to business. We’ve backed early-stage, disruptive technologies and support Nokia innovation through internal and external incubation. We foster innovation by pressure-testing new concepts adjacent to our core business—building proof points, validating product–market fit, and demonstrating customer value.
Sometimes the fastest way to unlock an innovation’s full potential is to give it room to grow with an ecosystem of partners and with support of external capital. The proposed path for Modul8 follows that playbook: pair the right team and technology with a structure built to scale, while keeping the Nokia Bell Labs DNA of pushing boundaries.
What’s next
There’s more work ahead as we look to complete this transaction by early summer–subject to applicable regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions–and more details to share in the future but today is a meaningful step. We’re proud of what the Modul8 team has already delivered, from the first cellular network on the Moon to helping enable the next generation of lunar exploration, and we’re energized by the opportunity to help set the business up for its next phase of growth.
Make sure you check out the newly launched Modul8 website for the latest updates on their journey.
This post summarizes Nokia’s strategic perspective on the proposed transaction announced on 16 April 2026 by Celestial. Investors and other market participants should refer to Celestial’s press release and related disclosure available on SEDAR+ for complete information regarding the transaction.
Certain statements in this post regarding the expected timing, future operations, funding, and growth of Modul8 are forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the completion of the proposed transaction and receipt of applicable approvals. Actual outcomes may differ materially.
