NASA today issued a formal Request for Proposal (RFP) for the Mars Telecommunications Network, a critical step toward ensuring high-bandwidth communications for future robotic and human missions to the Red Planet. The agency expects the network to be operational at Mars no later than 2030.
According to the RFP, the network must support reliable relay of science data, high-definition imagery, and real-time command for surface and orbital missions. It also requires accommodations for a science payload selected by NASA's Science Mission Directorate.
"Reliable, high-capacity communications is non-negotiable for the ambitious Mars missions ahead," said Dr. Lisa May, acting director of NASA's Space Communications and Navigation program. "With this RFP, we are asking industry to bring forward innovative solutions that can meet the growing demands of both robotic and eventual human exploration."
Responses are due within 30 calendar days of the RFP’s posting. The selected system must be ready to operate around Mars before the end of the decade.
Background
The RFP builds on a draft solicitation released April 2, 2026, and input gathered during an industry day at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Commercial partners provided feedback on NASA’s technical and operational objectives for the Mars link.
The Mars Telecommunications Network is part of NASA’s broader Moon-to-Mars architecture, managed under the SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Program. Congressional funding for the initiative was authorized under the Working Families Tax Cut Act.
Currently, NASA relies on aging orbiters like the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter for data relay. The new network is designed to dramatically increase bandwidth and ensure continuity as exploration intensifies.
What This Means
For industry, this represents a major opportunity to shape the communications backbone of Mars exploration. Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Lockheed Martin are expected to compete for the contract.
For NASA and the scientific community, a dedicated, high-performance telecom network means more data can be returned from every mission—from high-resolution video to complex sensor readings. It also paves the way for sustained human presence on Mars, where mission-critical communications will be vital.
"This isn't just about the next rover—it's about creating infrastructure for a permanent Mars outpost," said Dr. James Weatherby, a space policy analyst at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "Industry partnerships are the only way to achieve that within a decade."
The network is expected to consist of specialized orbiters that can handle massive data throughput while also hosting scientific instruments. NASA's request for a science payload accommodation ensures the orbiters serve dual purposes.
As the agency accelerates its Moon-to-Mars strategy, the telecom RFP is a clear signal that NASA is moving from planning to procurement. The 2030 deadline leaves little room for delay, making this one of the most pressing hardware solicitations in deep-space exploration.
For more information on NASA's deep space exploration plans, visit nasa.gov/esdmd.