NASA awards Blue Origin $700 million contract for Mars communications network

NASA announced Tuesday that it has selected Blue Origin to provide the Mars Telecommunications Network under a firm-fixed-price contract that could reach roughly $700 million, with delivery required no later than Dec. 31 2028. The contractor will be responsible for the full lifecycle of a high-performance communications spacecraft, including design, integration, launch and operation, to support data, imagery and navigation links for assets on and around the Red Planet.

The network is intended to become operational by 2030, forming part of NASA’s expanding space communications and navigation infrastructure that also supports the Artemis lunar program. The move follows a May-issued request for proposals and underscores the agency’s strategy of leveraging private-sector capabilities for deep-space services. NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program will manage the effort, while the system will enhance capacity, reliability and flexibility for an increasing number of robotic and future crewed missions to Mars. Contact information for NASA officials Rob Margetta and Rob Garner was provided.