NASA picks Eric Schmidt’s rocket company for Mars mission, setting up a race with SpaceX
NASA awarded a contract to Relativity Space to fly the Aeolus spacecraft to Mars by 2028. The company is backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. This partnership creates a race between Relativity Space and SpaceX to be the first private entity to reach the planet.
What changed
New reports confirm the contract is for the design and flight of the Aeolus spacecraft.
Live updates
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NASA selects Relativity Space for 2028 Mars mission
confidence 100%NASA awarded a contract to Relativity Space to fly the Aeolus spacecraft to Mars by 2028. The company is backed by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. This partnership creates a race between Relativity Space and SpaceX to be the first private entity to reach the planet.
What's confirmed:
- NASA selected Relativity Space for a Mars mission by 2028.
- The mission involves the Aeolus spacecraft.
- Relativity Space is backed by Eric Schmidt.
- The partnership sets up a race with SpaceX to reach Mars.
Still unconfirmed:
- Relativity Space has zero orbital flights.
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NASA Selects Relativity Space for 2028 Mars Orbiter Mission
confidence 95%NASA has partnered with Relativity Space to send the Aeolus atmospheric instruments to Mars in 2028. The company is led by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt. This mission puts the rocket maker in competition with SpaceX to reach the planet.
What's confirmed:
- NASA selected Relativity Space to launch the Aeolus atmospheric instruments to Mars in 2028.
- Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt took over Relativity Space in 2025.
- Relativity Space will privately develop and fly the Mars orbiter.
Still unconfirmed:
- Relativity Space's only rocket has never reached orbit.
- The mission is part of a Commercial Lunar and Interplanetary Transportation Services initiative.
- Relativity Space aims to build cheap, reusable rockets.