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Rocket Lab challenges NASA contract choice for Mars telecommunications spacecraft

Ars Technica reports that Rocket Lab has protested NASA's award of a $700 million Mars spacecraft contract to Blue Origin.

The short version

  • Rocket Lab filed a protest with the U.S. Government Accountability Office over NASA's Mars spacecraft contract decision.[Ars Technica]
  • NASA selected rival firm Blue Origin to develop, launch, and operate the $700 million Mars Telecommunications Network spacecraft.[Ars Technica]
  • The Government Accountability Office will review the challenge to the procurement process.[Ars Technica]

Key facts

  • NASA selected Blue Origin to develop, launch, and operate a $700 million Mars Telecommunications Network spacecraft.[Ars Technica]
  • Rocket Lab filed a formal protest regarding the contract decision with the U.S. Government Accountability Office.[Ars Technica]

What remains uncertain

  • The outcome of Rocket Lab's contract protest with the Government Accountability Office remains pending.[Ars Technica]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.