NASA taps Blue Origin for key component to Mars Telecommunications Network
Reading time: 2 minutes
NASA has announced that its Mars Telecommunications Network will include Blue Origin’s Mars Telecommunications Orbiter developed here in Huntsville.
Blue Origin’s Mars Telecommunications Orbiter will deliver high-speed, continuous coverage between Earth and Mars. The NASA contract has a maximum potential value of approximately $700 million to deliver a high-performance Mars Telecommunications Orbiter to NASA no later than December 31, 2028.
Read more below, and make sure to subscribe to our newsletter to get news like this delivered to your inbox.
What Is the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter?
MTO is built upon Blue Ring, Blue Origin’ high-powered spacecraft currently in production at its facility in Huntsville. With hybrid solar electric and chemical (SEP-Chem) propulsion, MTO can deploy multiple payloads and deliver the science and exploration infrastructure Mars needs before humans arrive.
Blue Origin will design, develop, integrate, launch and operate the network as a part of the NASA’s broader space communications and navigation infrastructure. The architecture will consist of a high-performance telecommunications spacecraft orbiting Mars, transmitting science data, imagery, navigation information and critical mission communications for spacecraft operating on and around the planet.
“MTO is the backbone of America’s Mars exploration program for the next decade and beyond and will provide the reliable communications capacity that will keep future robotic and human missions connected to each other and to Earth.”
Tory Bruno, president, Blue National Security
Under the Artemis program, NASA is sending astronauts to explore the Moon and prepare for missions to Mars. Robotic missions will pave the way for human exploration of the Red Planet, and as these missions expand, demand for data will continue to increase.
To meet this need, NASA is pursuing a purpose-built network capable of supporting a growing number of missions while providing greater capacity, reliability and operational flexibility.
The network, managed by NASA’s Space Communications and Navigation program, is expected to be operational at Mars by 2030 and will support both current and future missions to the Red Planet, as NASA ventures deeper into space.
Want more content like this? Follow Hville Blast on Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram, and be sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
