NASA on Thursday opened a formal RFP for a Mars Telecommunications Network, asking industry to propose a system that can be operating at Mars by 2030.
The network is meant to provide reliable, high-bandwidth links for science data, high-definition imagery and mission-critical communications supporting future surface, orbital and human exploration.
Commercial responses are due within 30 days, and the solicitation also asks bidders to accommodate a science payload to be selected by NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
The RFP follows an April 2 draft and industry feedback gathered at NASA Goddard, extending the agency’s Moon-to-Mars communications architecture beyond Earth and the Moon.
With mounting competition from China and aging Mars orbiters, can NASA’s new Mars Telecommunications Network truly secure America’s lead in deep space exploration?
What innovative technologies or international agreements are needed to ensure Mars communications stay robust, secure, and accessible for all future missions?
Could public-private partnerships in Mars communications reshape how humanity explores—and governs—other planets in the face of global competition?
The Next-Generation Mars Network: NASA’s 2030 Communications Backbone and the Commercial Space Race
Overview
In May 2026, NASA issued a Request for Proposal to develop a new Mars Telecommunications Network (MTN), driven by the urgent need for a reliable, high-performance communications system around Mars. This need arises because the current relay infrastructure, including the aging Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter and Mars Odyssey, is operating far beyond its intended lifespan. Congress has provided funding and direction for the MTN through recent legislation, recognizing its importance for NASA’s Moon to Mars strategy, which aims to support both advanced robotic missions and future human exploration. The new MTN will replace outdated assets and ensure continuous, robust communication for upcoming Mars missions.