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A non-public document reveals that science may not be prioritized on next Mars mission

February 27, 2026
•Ars technica
A non-public document reveals that science may not be prioritized on next Mars mission

Here's something that caught my attention — NASA might be shifting focus for its next Mars mission, and science isn’t front and center. According to Eric Berger writing in Technology, the US space agency is releasing a 'pre-solicitation' to develop a Mars orbiter that mainly relays signals back to Earth. But here’s where it gets interesting — this isn’t about science goals or exploring Mars’ surface. Instead, it’s about communication infrastructure, and the document suggests science may not be a priority at all. Berger points out that the funding bill from Senator Ted Cruz was meant to push for a specific contractor, yet due to some poorly written rules, the competition might actually be broader. So what does this actually mean for space exploration? It could signal a shift toward more hardware-focused missions that aren’t driven by scientific discovery, but by communication needs. Keep an eye on this — how NASA balances science and infrastructure could reshape future missions.

The US space agency has released a "pre-solicitation" for what is expected to be a hotly contested contract to develop a spacecraft to orbit Mars and relay communications from the red planet back to Earth.

Ars covered the intrigue surrounding the spacecraft in late January, which was initiated by US Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, as part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" legislation in the summer of 2025. The bill provided $700 million for NASA to develop the orbiter and specified funding had to be awarded "not later than fiscal year 2026," which ends September 30, 2026. This legislation was seemingly crafted by Cruz's office to favor a single contractor, Rocket Lab. However, multiple sources have told Ars it was poorly written and therefore the competition is more open than intended.

The pre-solicitation released this week is not a request for proposals from industry—it states that a draft Request for Proposals is forthcoming. Rather, it seeks feedback from industry and interested stakeholders about an "objectives and requirements" document that outlines the goals of the Mars mission.

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The US space agency has released a "pre-solicitation" for what is expected to be a hotly contested contract to develop a spacecraft to orbit Mars and relay communications from the red planet back to Earth.

Ars covered the intrigue surrounding the spacecraft in late January, which was initiated by US Senator Ted Cruz, R-Texas, as part of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" legislation in the summer of 2025. The bill provided $700 million for NASA to develop the orbiter and specified funding had to be awarded "not later than fiscal year 2026," which ends September 30, 2026. This legislation was seemingly crafted by Cruz's office to favor a single contractor, Rocket Lab. However, multiple sources have told Ars it was poorly written and therefore the competition is more open than intended.

The pre-solicitation released this week is not a request for proposals from industry—it states that a draft Request for Proposals is forthcoming. Rather, it seeks feedback from industry and interested stakeholders about an "objectives and requirements" document that outlines the goals of the Mars mission.

Read full article

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