NASA awards Blue Origin contract for Mars communications network
NASA awarded Blue Origin a contract worth up to about $700 million to develop and operate a Mars telecommunications orbiter by the end of 2028.
NASA said Blue Origin will design, launch and operate a spacecraft providing communications and navigation services for missions on and around Mars. The agency expects the network to be operating at Mars by 2030.
The firm-fixed-price contract calls for delivery of the orbiter no later than Dec. 31, 2028, and has a maximum potential value of approximately $700 million.