NASA selected Blue Origin over Rocket Lab for a $700 million Mars Telecommunications Network spacecraft, prompting Rocket Lab to file a formal protest with the Government Accountability Office claiming the decision violated Congressional eligibility criteria. Blue Origin warned the protest could jeopardize the 2028 launch window, which is critical given limited Mars departure opportunities.
Background
NASA is building a Mars Telecommunications Network to support future crewed and robotic missions to the Red Planet. The program aims to establish reliable communications infrastructure in Mars orbit.
- Source
- Ars Technica
- Published
- Sep 15, 2026 at 05:32 AM
- Score
- 7.0 / 10