NASA has selected Relativity Space, a rocket startup formerly led by Google's ex-CEO Eric Schmidt, to launch an ambitious new mission to Mars. The space agency announced a contract with the 3D-printing rocket manufacturer for the design, construction, and launch of a spacecraft destined for Martian orbit. Relativity Space was acquired by Eric Schmidt in 2025.
Mission Details
The mission, named "Aeolus," will carry four scientific instruments aimed at providing the first daily, global view of Mars' dust, winds, and atmospheric temperature. NASA officials believe the data will be critical for ensuring the safety of future robotic landers and eventually human astronauts.
Public-Private Partnership
The agreement follows a public-private partnership model similar to NASA's historical deals with SpaceX for cargo missions and Firefly Aerospace for lunar landers. Under this framework, NASA manages the scientific payload while Relativity covers some development costs and provides low-cost infrastructure.
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, a two-time private astronaut and advocate for commercial partnerships, praised the collaboration. "Pairing world-class government instruments with commercial innovation allows us to deliver more science more frequently, accelerating the timeline for essential data for human missions," he said in a statement. On X (formerly Twitter), Isaacman wrote: "The quest to discover the secrets of the universe is a shared endeavor. At @NASA we are grateful to partner with @ericschmidt and @relativityspace, hoping this mission models future privately funded space efforts."
Risks and Challenges
The Aeolus mission is scheduled for a 2028 launch, giving Relativity just two years to finalize spacecraft design and develop the rocket needed to escape Earth's gravity. NASA has not disclosed financial terms. According to TechCrunch, "NASA is taking on risk as well." Analysts view the mission as a high-stakes gamble, as Relativity remains largely unproven in orbital markets. Previous startup partners have faced bankruptcy or mission failures, and commercial viability for Mars services is uncertain.
Relativity Space was founded in 2015 by former SpaceX and Blue Origin engineers, focusing on 3D-printing technology. Its first rocket, Terran-1, failed mid-flight during its March 2023 debut. The company later pivoted to a larger vehicle, Terran R, but faced fundraising hurdles before Schmidt took a majority stake and became CEO last year. Schmidt has been quiet about long-term plans, though industry insiders note his interest in orbital data centers and a separate space telescope project, Lazuli, funded by his Schmidt Sciences philanthropy.
