NASA’s Mars relay orbiter may favor communications over science for 2028 window

A non-public NASA document for the Mars Telecommunications Network (formerly the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter) lists four top-level goals focused on Mars-to-Earth communications and navigation support, with science payloads not required but not precluded. NASA emphasizes schedule risk and potential trade-offs, suggesting that any science instruments must not jeopardize the late-2028 launch. The procurement landscape is competitive, involving Rocket Lab, Blue Origin, and SpaceX, and NASA recently awarded Rocket Lab a small contract to study end-to-end Mars communications, a move that could complicate the main award process.