Rocket Lab protests NASA $700 million Mars orbiter award Blue Origin
Business
Rocket Lab isn't happy about NASA giving a $700 million Mars orbiter contract to Blue Origin, so it has officially protested the decision.
They say NASA didn't follow Congressional rules and didn't fairly review their technical proposal.
This new orbiter is meant to upgrade how Mars missions communicate, replacing older technology by 2030.
Blue Origin delivery set December 2028
NASA picked Blue Origin for the job after reviewing proposals from both companies earlier this year, with delivery set for December 2028.
Rocket Lab's protest shines a light on industry competition and raises questions about how these big space contracts are awarded.
The outcome could shape future Mars exploration: who gets to play a bigger role in it.