Low-Cost Missions to Mars: NASA Selects Nine Companies

As part of the Mars Exploration Program, the U.S. agency has identified 12 proposals from commercial companies for payload transport, surface imaging, and communications.

BY EMILIO COZZI

NASA is seeking low-cost solutions for Mars. Far from a mere suggestion, the context demands it, with scenarios requiring tens or even hundreds of millions of dollars to make things happen. This is stated by the U.S. space agency, the same one that in the 1960s spent billions of dollars annually to reach the Moon and then leave its surface after a few days.

In late May 2022, the Low-Cost Mars Workshop was held in Pasadena, California. The goal: “To provide a forum for the Mars community – including scientists, engineers, technologists, and industry representatives – to share ideas and approaches for low-cost exploration of the Red Planet.”

A few days ago marked a turning point: NASA selected nine commercial companies that responded to the January 29 request for proposals to advance 12 projects, architectures, and solutions for various services under the Mars Exploration Program, the robotic exploration that will prepare for the arrival of astronauts.

The main application areas are four: delivery and hosting services for small payloads; delivery and hosting services for large payloads; Mars surface imaging services; and next-generation connection services. Three companies had two proposals approved for this initial study phase, which could lead to further requests for proposals in 12 weeks, in August: these companies are Blue Origin, Astrobotic, and Lockheed Martin.

Spacecraft and “Space Tractors”

The first two sections concern the delivery of paying cargoes destined for the Red Planet. Ideas for transporting small payloads come from Lockheed Martin, which involves adapting a vehicle already developed for lunar exploration (Lockheed Martin built the crew module for the Orion spacecraft); similarly, Firefly Aerospace is working on a lunar lander, Blue Ghost; Impulse Space proposes adapting an orbital transfer vehicle near Earth, essentially a tractor or space tug, such as the Helios thruster and the Mira payload hosting satellite.

For larger payloads, NASA has chosen solutions from United Launch Alliance (ULA), modifying the cryogenic upper stage of a vehicle used near Earth by adapting a vehicle used for Earth orbit and lunar exploration: it’s very likely to start with Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket and Blue Moon lander; Astrobotic Technology also proposes modifying a lunar exploration lander.

Mars Seen from Above

A planet ripe for exploitation must be thoroughly known. There are already high-resolution maps of Mars, but with its atmosphere being an ever-evolving system, it needs to be precisely mapped for landing and exploration plans. Therefore, new orbital imaging services need to be identified. Among the proposals, NASA selected those from Albedo Space Corporation, adapting imaging satellites that will soon be launched into low Earth orbit with a declared resolution of 10 centimeters (military level); the same goes for Redwire Space, born from the merger of two historic space companies that built probes for important NASA missions; Astrobotic Technology intends to modify an orbiting lunar exploration probe capable of capturing ground images.

Connecting the Red Planet

Transmissions will primarily concern data for robotic exploration, but with a proven infrastructure, human crews will also benefit from the connection with the base camp, other exploring vehicles, and, of course, Earth. SpaceX is unsurprisingly involved: Elon Musk’s company already has high-level experience in space-to-ground communications. Adapting Starlink satellites, inherently low-cost due to mass production, seems a logical evolution. Lockheed Martin is also interested, proposing a communication relay via a modified Mars orbiter; Blue Origin would instead rely on a satellite used near Earth and for lunar exploration.

Each selected project received initial funding between $200,000 and $300,000, NASA confirmed, to produce a detailed report within 12 weeks. Subsequently, the space agency will publish a summary report but without committing to further development funding.

From Earth to the Moon to Mars

The low-cost approach is confirmed by the fact that these are concepts derived from already developing projects or existing technologies. Around Earth, and soon near the Moon, industry and space agencies have done and will do everything. Why not leverage this heritage when it can translate into time and cost savings, with already tested products? Perhaps with modifications that account for radiation outside Earth’s magnetic field protection, the greater distance from the Sun – hence larger solar panels – and antennas to communicate with Earth hundreds of millions of kilometers away.

This will only be the prelude, creating a technological ecosystem for the subsequent arrival of a human crew, for which low-cost solutions will not be admitted and redundancy will become indispensable (backup technologies, spare parts, additional systems). Finding a “connected” planet with an efficient navigation system and punctual cargo service will nonetheless be advantageous.

It’s noteworthy that this savings-focused paradigm also includes the other great adventure involving NASA and the European Space Agency to bring Martian soil samples to Earth, collected by the Perseverance rover and stored in capsules to be retrieved and sent for analysis in more sophisticated labs than the robot’s. The Mars Sample Return is now more at risk than ever, with severely reduced funding and a delay until 2040 already announced by NASA. To avoid what the agency administrator, Bill Nelson, called an “unacceptable” delay, NASA has issued another request for proposals from companies to find low-cost solutions. This is not coincidental: on the horizon is China, which has planned a similar mission for 2030.