A non-public document reveals that science may not be prioritized on next Mars mission

The United States space agency has issued a preliminary solicitation for a highly sought-after contract aimed at creating a spacecraft that will orbit Mars and transmit communications back to Earth. This initiative gained attention earlier this year when U.S. Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas, introduced it under the sweeping legislation known as the 'One Big Beautiful Bill' during the summer of 2025. The bill allocated $700 million to NASA for the development of the Martian orbiter, mandating that the funding be awarded by the end of the fiscal year 2026, which concludes on September 30, 2026. Critics suggest that Cruz's office crafted this legislation with the intention of benefitting a specific contractor, Rocket Lab. However, sources indicate that due to some shortcomings in the bill's language, the competitive landscape may be more diverse than initially anticipated. The preliminary solicitation released this week is not a formal request for proposals; instead, it invites feedback from industry players and stakeholders regarding a draft Request for Proposals that is expected to follow. This draft aims to gather insights about the objectives and requirements for the Mars mission. A 24-page document detailing these objectives has not been made publicly accessible and is classified as 'controlled' on the government procurement website. Nevertheless, a copy obtained by sources outlines four primary objectives for this ambitious mission.