NASA selects Eric Schmidt’s rocket company for a 2028 mission to Mars
Relativity Space, the rocket company led by former Google executive Eric Schmidt, was picked to launch NASA's Aeolus payload to Mars in 2028, as reported earlier by TechCrunch. Under a new public-priv
Relativity Space, the rocket company led by former Google executive Eric Schmidt, was picked to launch NASA's Aeolus payload to Mars in 2028, as repor
Read Full Story at The Verge →The selection of Relativity Space—led by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt—to launch a 2028 NASA payload to Mars marks a pivotal moment in the privatization of deep-space exploration. While Aeolus itself is a modest Earth observation mission, its ride on Relativity’s yet-unproven Terran R rocket signals NASA’s growing willingness to gamble on innovative, cost-cutting launch providers for planetary science. This decision underscores a broader shift: after decades of relying on legacy contractors like Lockheed Martin and Boeing, NASA is increasingly betting on scrappy, Silicon Valley-backed startups to push the boundaries of what’s possible in spaceflight. For a mission designed to study atmospheric dynamics and dust transport on Mars, the stakes are high—not just for science, but for proving that commercial heavy-lift rockets can handle the demands of interplanetary travel. Relativity’s inclusion in NASA’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) program reflects its reputation as a disruptor. The company’s focus on 3D-printed rockets and autonomous manufacturing has drawn comparisons to SpaceX’s early days, albeit with a different approach to scalability. Yet its track record remains unproven: Relativity’s first orbital attempt, Terran 1, failed in March 2023, though it did demonstrate key technologies. The Aeolus contract suggests NASA sees potential in its long-term vision, even if the risks are substantial. This gamble aligns with the agency’s broader Artemis program, where commercial partners like SpaceX and Blue Origin are also playing critical roles—not just in transporting cargo, but in shaping the future of human exploration. What remains unclear is whether Relativity can deliver on time. The 2028 launch window is tight, especially given the company’s developmental challenges. If successful, it could accelerate NASA’s shift toward more frequent, cost-effective Mars missions, potentially opening the door for private science payloads to hitch rides on commercial rockets. Conversely, a failure could reinforce skepticism about whether startups are ready to handle the complexities of deep-space missions. Either way, this contract is a bellwether for how NASA balances innovation with reliability—a tension that will only intensify as commercial spaceflight matures.
