NASA Kicks Off Mars Telecom Network Competition
NASA has formally kicked off the competition to meet its Mars Telecommunications Network spacecraft requirement with delivery by the end of 2028.
The agency has issued the long-expected request for proposal to develop a system to deliver robust and continuous communications between Earth and systems in and around Mars.
The system should be fully operational at Mars before 2030.
The goal is to deliver to equipment operating at Mars Doppler, range, and time transfer for positioning, navigation, and timing information through 2035, the agency said May 14. Those would include expected entry, descent and landing demonstration on the planet.
The system has to deliver low-rate X-band and higher rate Ka for the direct-with-earth link, NASA said. It does not require, but is open to, optical links for such operations.
NASA has set out multiple other requirements around communications and other system features, including minimum operational life of five years.
The agency, as expected, is looking to award a firm fixed-price contract for hardware delivery. Launch and operations would be handled through contract options. The winning bidder will select the launch vehicle. Ground and flight hardware is due for delivery before the end of 2028, with reviews and inspections already completed.
The spacecraft should also be able to accommodate scientific payloads.
Bidders have until June 15 to submit their proposals with NASA planning to award a contract by Oct. 1, 2026.
