MilestoneSeptember 1, 2026

NASA selects Blue Origin for Mars Telecommunications Network contract

The firm-fixed-price contract worth up to $700 million aims to deliver a high-performance telecommunications orbiter to Mars.

NASA's ESCAPADE Launch on Blue Origin's NG-2
NASA's ESCAPADE Launch on Blue Origin's NG-2 · Blue Origin, Public domain (NASA)

NASA has awarded Blue Origin a contract to develop the Mars Telecommunications Network, a next-generation system designed to provide high-bandwidth communications and navigation services for Mars missions.

The firm-fixed-price contract carries a maximum potential value of approximately $700 million. Under the agreement, Blue Origin will deliver a high-performance telecommunications orbiter to Mars to support present and future exploration missions.

See Mars in the map