NASA has started soliciting proposals for advanced communications and navigation systems for future Moon and Mars missions.
Join the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Air and Space Summit on July 31 to learn about the latest initiatives aimed at advancing air and space capabilities.
Next-Generation Moon, Mars Communications System
According to the request for proposals issued on July 7, NASA intends to leverage private industry capabilities for critical satellite communications. The agency is particularly seeking concepts for reliable, high-speed communication systems linking Earth-based control centers to the Moon’s surface and establishing a communications relay on Mars that would enable data transfer with Earth.
The potential project aligns with NASA’s initiative to build an interoperable communication and navigation infrastructure in space to boost science, exploration and economic development.
Interested vendors have until Aug. 13 to submit their responses.
Greg Heckler, deputy program manager for capability development of the space communications and navigation program, said, “These partnerships foster important advancements in communications and navigation. It allows our astronauts, our rovers, our spacecraft – all NASA missions – to expand humanity’s exploration of the Moon, Mars and beyond.”
