Mars Telecommunications Orbiter

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is seeking a high-performing Mars Telecommunications Orbiter (MTO) that can provide robust, continuous communications for a Mars Sample Return (MSR), future Mars surface, orbital, and human explorations missions. The MTO will support autonomous operations, onboard processing, and extended mission duration capabilities. The competition for this requirement is limited to U.S. companies that participated in NASA-funded Mars Sample Return (MSR) design studies in FY2024 or FY2025. The eligible companies are Blue Origin, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab, SpaceX, Quantum Space, and Whittinghill Aerospace. • The MTO will provide communications for a Mars Sample Return (MSR) and future Mars surface, orbital, and human explorations missions. • The MTO will support autonomous operations, onboard processing, and extended mission duration capabilities. • The competition is limited to U.S. companies that participated in NASA-funded Mars Sample Return (MSR) design studies in FY2024 or FY2025. • The eligible companies are Blue Origin, L3Harris, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab, SpaceX, Quantum Space, and Whittinghill Aerospace.