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NASA PARTNERS WITH RELATIVITY SPACE FOR 2028 MARS ORBITER

INDUSTRY DESK1 MIN READ
THU, JUN 18, 2026

■ AI-SUMMARIZED FROM 3 SOURCES ▸ TIMELINE

NASA has partnered with Eric Schmidt's Relativity Space to send an orbiter to Mars in 2028. The collaboration marks a significant step in commercial space partnerships for planetary exploration.

Relativity Space, the aerospace company founded by Eric Schmidt, will work with NASA on the Mars orbiter mission scheduled for 2028. The partnership combines NASA's expertise in planetary science with Relativity Space's capabilities in rocket and spacecraft development. Relativity Space is known for its innovative 3D printing technology in manufacturing rockets, which reduces production complexity and costs. The company has already demonstrated its Terran 1 rocket platform and continues developing larger vehicles for commercial and government missions. The 2028 timeline aligns with NASA's ongoing Mars exploration strategy, which includes multiple missions to gather data about the planet's atmosphere, geology, and potential for future human missions. Details about the orbiter's specific instruments and scientific objectives are expected to be released as the mission planning progresses. This collaboration reflects NASA's broader shift toward partnering with commercial space companies for deep space exploration beyond Earth orbit.

■ SOURCES

EngadgetThe VergeEngadget

■ SUMMARY WRITTEN BY AI FROM THE LINKS ABOVE

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