Future TechnologyNASA Picks Eric Schmidt's Relativity Space to Launch Mars Mission in 2028
Key takeaways
- NASA selected Relativity Space, chaired by Eric Schmidt, to launch the Aeolus Mars orbiter
- The mission will provide the first daily measurements of Mars's global weather
- Launch is targeted for 2028, coinciding with a favourable Mars orbital window
- Relativity will design, build, and launch the spacecraft under a public-private partnership model
NASA has selected Relativity Space, the rocket company chaired by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, to launch its Aeolus Mars orbiter in 2028. The mission will be the first to provide daily measurements of Martian global weather, which is a genuinely significant scientific goal that could reshape how we plan future crewed missions to the planet.
What makes this selection interesting is who it isn't: SpaceX. NASA going to a smaller, less proven launch provider for a Mars-bound science mission signals growing confidence in the commercial space sector beyond just the obvious names. Relativity Space has been working on its Terran R rocket, and landing a NASA contract of this calibre is a serious vote of confidence.
Under a public-private partnership model, Relativity will design, build, and launch the spacecraft, not just provide the ride. That's a much bigger ask than a standard launch contract and puts them firmly in the same conversation as the big players. The 2028 launch window aligns with Mars's orbital position relative to Earth, so the timeline is essentially non-negotiable.
Blue Origin is also in the news this week for rebuilding its launch pad infrastructure, a reminder that the race to establish reliable, reusable launch capacity is very much ongoing. For NASA, spreading missions across multiple commercial providers is smart risk management.