NASA's Mars Communications Relay Contract Raises Concerns The recent contract awarded to a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Viasat has left many in the space community questioning the long term strategy for NASA's exploration of the Red Planet.
The $100 million to $200 million contract is crucial to the success of future Mars missions, which will rely on the relay system to transmit data back to Earth.
What's at Stake: A Breakdown of NASA's Mars Communications Relay Contract The contract is a critical component of NASA's plans to send astronauts to Mars in the 2030s.