Science

NASA Partners with U.S. Companies for Cost-Effective Mars Missions

Published on Jun 3, 2024
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Image Credit: Blue Arauz

NASA has enlisted nine U.S. companies to conduct 12 studies focused on applying commercial services to Mars science missions. With a goal of establishing a new approach for affordable and frequent Mars missions through public-private partnerships, the studies center around payload delivery, communications, and other key areas.

Each of the selected companies will receive funding ranging from $200,000 to $300,000 to conduct detailed studies on potential services. The reports will explore payload delivery, communication relay, surface imaging, and payload hosting to support future Mars missions.

These companies were chosen through a public call for proposals from the U.S. industry earlier this year, and the selected studies are categorized into small and large payload delivery and hosting services, Mars surface imaging services, and next-generation communication relay services.

The 12-week study is set to conclude in August, with a research summary expected to be released later this year.

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