NASA Seeks Industry Bids for Mars Telecommunications Network
NASA has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) seeking industry bids for the development of a Mars Telecommunications Network, designed to provide critical communications for future surface, orbital, and human exploration missions at Mars.
Key Details
- The RFP was posted on an unspecified date, based on a draft released on April 2, and incorporates feedback from an industry day held at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center.
- Proposals are due within 30 calendar days of the RFP's posting.
- The network must be operational at Mars no later than 2030.
- The RFP seeks responses addressing both current and future operational missions, including an accommodation for a science payload to be selected by NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
Context and Funding
The Mars Telecommunications Network is part of NASA's SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Program's Moon to Mars strategy, which aims to extend continuous network services beyond Earth to the Moon and Mars.
Funding for the program is provided by Congress through the Working Families Tax Cut Act.