NASA Selects Relativity Space for Mars Mission, Competing with SpaceX

NASA has contracted Relativity Space, founded by former SpaceX engineers and recently acquired by Eric Schmidt, to develop a spacecraft for a Mars mission set to launch in 2028, potentially outpacing SpaceX.

Relativity Space, a rocket manufacturer recently acquired by Eric Schmidt, the former executive chairman of Google, is poised to compete with SpaceX in the race to Mars. On Tuesday, NASA announced that it has engaged Relativity to construct a spacecraft that will carry scientific instruments, launch into space, and travel to Mars.

The contract structure resembles previous agreements NASA has made with SpaceX for cargo missions to the International Space Station and with Firefly Aerospace for lunar lander projects. Under this arrangement, NASA focuses on the scientific aspects while the private company is responsible for providing cost-effective infrastructure.

The mission, named Aeolus, is designed to incorporate four scientific instruments aimed at measuring and imaging Mars from orbit. NASA anticipates that this will yield the first daily, global observations of Martian dust, winds, and atmospheric temperatures. Such data is expected to enhance the safety of future landers and astronauts planning to explore the Martian surface.

"By combining NASA’s leading scientific instruments with commercial innovation and investment, we can deliver more science more frequently and accelerate the process of making essential data available to researchers preparing for future human missions to Mars," said NASA administrator Jared Isaacman in a statement.

The launch is scheduled for 2028, which presents a significant challenge for Relativity. The company must design and construct the spacecraft to house the Aeolus instruments while simultaneously completing the development of the rocket that will launch it. NASA has not disclosed the financial terms of the contract, and inquiries from TechCrunch to Relativity for additional details went unanswered.

Isaacman, who has participated in two private SpaceX missions, advocates for public-private partnerships like this one. This model allows the partnering company to assume part of the project’s development costs in exchange for enabling NASA to extend its budget and minimize financial risk. However, NASA is also assuming risk in this venture, as Relativity is still an unproven entity, and there are no assurances that the mission will be successful. Past collaborations with startup companies have sometimes ended in bankruptcy or operational failures.

Relativity Space was founded in 2015 by former engineers from SpaceX and Blue Origin, with a vision to leverage 3D printing technology to reduce the costs associated with rocket manufacturing. The company's initial rocket, Terran-1, launched in March 2023 but failed during its flight. In response, Relativity has shifted focus to a larger rocket design named Terran R.

Before the Terran R could be launched, Relativity faced fundraising difficulties, leading Schmidt to acquire a majority stake in the company last year and assume the role of CEO. While he has remained tight-lipped about the investment, he has shown interest in orbital data centers and is believed to be using Relativity to develop a space telescope named Lazuili, supported by his family foundation, Schmidt Sciences.

Schmidt’s decision to take control of a space enterprise raised eyebrows due to the competitive and capital-intensive nature of the rocketry industry. However, the increasing demand for new rockets—partially driven by delays at Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin—could provide a lucrative opportunity for Schmidt if the Terran R successfully reaches space.

Moreover, the new NASA contract positions Schmidt to potentially outpace Elon Musk, with whom he has had public disagreements regarding AI safety. Although Musk has frequently discussed ambitious plans for Mars, SpaceX has yet to send a mission to the planet, and the Tesla vehicle he launched into space in 2018 did not reach Mars.

If Relativity’s Aeolus mission launches as planned, it could mark the first private mission to arrive at the Red Planet.