A non-public document reveals that science may not be prioritized on next Mars mission
Summary
Ars Technica reports on a non-public NASA document outlining objectives for a Mars communications orbiter and the debate over including scientific payloads. The document indicates that science payloads are not precluded but schedule risk is a key consideration, and it highlights looming contractor competition among Rocket Lab, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and others in the context of NASA's Mars 2028 window. The article also notes a recent Rocket Lab contract related to Mars end-to-end communications architecture and the potential for protests in the awarding process.