NASA has selected Blue Origin to design, develop, integrate, launch and operate a Mars telecommunications spacecraft. The firm-fixed-price award has a maximum value of about 700 million dollars. NASA requires delivery no later than 31 December 2028, with the orbiter working at Mars in 2030. The craft is to relay science data, imagery, navigation and mission communications for spacecraft on and around the planet. NASA links the network to Artemis and to commercial communications beyond Earth and the Moon.
NASA has selected Blue Origin to design, develop, integrate, launch and operate a telecommunications spacecraft in orbit around Mars. The firm-fixed-price award has a maximum value of about 700 million dollars. Engadget reports NASA's announcement as a contract to develop the Mars Telecommunications Network, a deal worth potentially 700 million dollars.[1], [2]
NASA requires delivery no later than 31 December 2028, and wants the orbiter working at Mars in 2030. NASA says the craft is to relay science data, imagery, navigation information and mission communications for spacecraft on and around the planet. Engadget reports a Mars telecommunications orbiter for the agency by 31 December 2028, then transmitting science data, imagery, navigation information and critical mission communications once operational.[1], [2]
NASA places the award under its Space Communications and Navigation programme and issued its request for proposals in May 2026. NASA presents the network as an extension of its communications infrastructure beyond Earth and the Moon, built on commercial providers, and links it to the Artemis programme's longer aim of sending astronauts to the Moon and eventually Mars. NASA says the contract covers a single telecommunications orbiter rather than a constellation. Engadget places the award in the Artemis context, whose lunar missions are meant to prepare for sending astronauts to Mars, and reports that a reliable way to move data from Mars back to Earth is essential for that goal.[1], [2]
