NASA is seeking proposals from U.S. companies about innovative Moon and Mars proximity relay communication and navigation capabilities as the agency aims to use private industry satellite communications services for emerging missions.<\/p>\n
On July 7, NASA issued a Request for Proposals<\/a>, soliciting advanced industry concepts to establish high-bandwidth, high-reliability communications infrastructure between the lunar surface and an Earth-based operations control center, along with concepts that establish a critical communications relay on the Martian surface and transfer data between Mars and the Earth.<\/p>\n \u201cThese partnerships foster important advancements in communications and navigation,\u201d said Greg Heckler, deputy program manager for capability development within NASA\u2019s SCaN (Space Communications and Navigation) Program. \u201cIt allows our astronauts, our rovers, our spacecraft \u2013 all NASA missions \u2013 to expand humanity\u2019s exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s request directly supports the agency\u2019s long-term vision of an interoperable space communication and navigation infrastructure that enables science, exploration, and economic development in space. NASA, as one of many customers, will establish a marketplace that supports cost-effective commercial services involving communication needs on and around the Moon and Mars.<\/p>\n Responses are due by 5 p.m. EDT, Wednesday, Aug. 13.<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s SCaN Program serves as the management office for the agency\u2019s space communications and navigation. More than 100 NASA and non-NASA missions rely on SCaN\u2019s two networks, the Near Space Network and the Deep Space Network, to support astronauts aboard the International Space Station and future Artemis missions, monitor Earth\u2019s weather, support lunar exploration, and uncover the solar system and beyond.<\/p>\n Learn more about NASA\u2019s SCaN Program at:<\/p>\n