NASA, Relativity Space Partner on 2028 Mars Aeolus Mission Under 6-Year Pact
Updated
Updated · NASA · Jun 17
NASA, Relativity Space Partner on 2028 Mars Aeolus Mission Under 6-Year Pact
2 articles · Updated · NASA · Jun 17
Summary
Aeolus is set to launch in 2028 under a new NASA-Relativity Space partnership that gives NASA the atmospheric-science payload and Relativity the spacecraft, rocket and cruise operations to Mars.
Four NASA-built instruments will deliver the first integrated daily global view of Martian winds, temperatures, dust and clouds, data NASA says is critical for safer entry, descent and landing planning.
NASA Ames will design, build and integrate the payload, while NASA also commits to at least 1 Martian year of science operations and to a data-processing pipeline for broad research use.
The agreement is NASA's first 6-year reimbursable Space Act Agreement, extending Relativity's Mars plans announced earlier Wednesday and reflecting NASA's push to use commercial partners to increase mission cadence.
Can a private, AI-driven orbiter finally map the Martian ice that has eluded NASA's most advanced probes?
Is Eric Schmidt's dual role as CEO and benefactor building a new model for science or a private space exploration monopoly?
As philanthropy funds critical Mars infrastructure, who will control the data and access for future interplanetary missions?
Relativity Space’s 2028 Mars Orbiter: $2.9B in Launch Contracts, Terran R Reusability, and the Push for a Multiplanetary Future
Overview
Relativity Space is driving a new era of space exploration with its ambitious goal to establish an industrial base on Mars. Led by CEO Tim Ellis, the company believes 3D-printed reusable rockets are essential for making humanity a multiplanetary species. The Terran R rocket is central to this vision, designed for both deploying large satellite constellations in Earth orbit and enabling transport to the Moon and Mars. With advanced reusability and significant payload capacity, Terran R supports Relativity Space’s long-term strategy to deliver technology and infrastructure needed for future Mars missions and human settlement.