NASA Outlines Requirements for High-Performance Mars Telecommunications Network Spacecraft

The planned procurement covers design, development, integration, launch, and on-orbit operations of a Mars telecommunications orbiter.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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NASA has released draft requirements for its prospective high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiter under its Mars Telecommunications Network (MTN) program. The MTN spacecraft would provide relay services between Mars surface and orbital assets and Earth, including communications, Doppler, range, and time-transfer services to support positioning, navigation, and timing. The spacecraft must support autonomous operations, onboard processing, and extended mission duration capabilities.

Why it matters

The MTN spacecraft is a critical component of NASA's plans for future Mars sample return campaigns and other robotic and human exploration missions, providing continuous communications between Mars and Earth.

The details

Under the draft requirements, the MTN spacecraft must provide at least five years of operational communications and positioning, navigation, and timing services beginning at operational readiness. It must support direct-to-Earth links compatible with NASA's Deep Space Network and proximity links to Mars surface and orbital assets, including legacy UHF and advanced proximity communications. The spacecraft must also have store-and-forward capability, cybersecurity and command protection, and compliance with planetary protection and orbital debris standards.

  • NASA anticipates releasing a draft request for proposals in 2026.
  • Completed hardware delivery to NASA, including all associated reviews and inspections, is required by December 31, 2028.
  • Full operational readiness is required no later than the end of calendar year 2030.

The players

NASA

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the U.S. government agency responsible for the civilian space program, aeronautics, and space research.

Alisha Mercadante

The primary point of contact for this project at NASA.

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What’s next

NASA is providing an "MTN Objectives and Requirements Document" for industry review and optional comment ahead of the release of a draft request for proposals.

The takeaway

The development of the high-performance Mars Telecommunications Network spacecraft is a critical step in enabling future Mars exploration missions, providing the necessary communications infrastructure to support both robotic and human exploration of the Red Planet.