NASA has announced a new commercial partnership for the next satellite headed to the Red Planet. California-based Relativity Space will design, build, and launch the spacecraft that carries NASA's Aeolus instrument suite to orbit around Mars. The mission, set to launch in 2028, will provide daily measurements of the planet's global environment, including Martian dust and cloud cover, winds, and temperatures.

"Public-private partnerships like this are a force multiplier for science," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. This partnership is a significant step forward for NASA's Mars exploration program, which aims to better understand the Martian environment and its potential for supporting life.

Relativity Space is known for its innovative approach to spacecraft design and manufacturing. "We're thrilled to be working with NASA on this critical mission," said a Relativity Space spokesperson. "Our team is committed to delivering a high-performance spacecraft that meets the agency's requirements and helps advance our understanding of Mars."

• Who: NASA and Relativity Space
• What: Partnership to design, build, and launch Mars orbiter
• When: 2028
• Where: Mars orbit

NASA's Mars exploration program has been ongoing for decades, with numerous robotic missions sent to the Red Planet to study its geology, climate, and potential biosignatures. The Aeolus instrument suite, which will be carried by the Relativity Space spacecraft, is designed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the Martian atmosphere and its interaction with the planet's surface.

The partnership between NASA and Relativity Space is expected to pave the way for future collaborations between the agency and private industry. As NASA continues to explore the possibilities of public-private partnerships, the space agency is likely to see significant advancements in its mission to explore the solar system.

• $100 million: Estimated cost of the Relativity Space spacecraft
• 2028: Launch year of the Mars orbiter mission
• 10 years: Expected lifespan of the spacecraft

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