Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin Wins NASA's $700M Mars Contract — Beats Rocket Lab in High-Stakes Space Race

Shomik Sen Bhattacharjee

Fri, September 4, 2026 at 12:31 PM EDT 4 min read

RKLB

Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below.

Jeff Bezos' Blue Originwon NASA's race to build the agency's next Mars communications orbiter, securing a contract worth up to $700 million for a high-bandwidth network NASA expects to have operating at the Red Planet by 2030.

NASA Bets Big On Mars Communications

NASA awarded Blue Origin the firm-fixed-price contract Tuesday to develop the Mars Telecommunications Network, or MTN. The company must deliver the spacecraft by Dec. 31, 2028 and will design, launch and operate the system.

Mars just got a little closer.

Blue Origin is honored to have been selected by @NASA to help build the first dedicated communications network at the Red Planet. Our Mars Telecommunications Orbiter (MTO), built on the Blue Ring platform, will create new pathways for science while… pic.twitter.com/exIIk2bHCU

— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) September 2, 2026

Don't Miss:

A single bad hire can set a startup back years. Here are the 5 hires founders most often misjudge — and why
Still Learning the Market? These 50 Must-Know Terms Can Help You Catch Up Fast

"The award marks a milestone in NASA's strategy to expand communications and navigation services beyond Earth and the Moon," NASA said in a press release, calling it a foundation for "sustained exploration of Mars in the coming decades."

Unlike existing orbiters that divide time between science and communications, MTN will relay science data, imagery, navigation information and mission communications for spacecraft on and around Mars.

NASA's Mars Relay Network now relies on four orbiters after the agency ended MAVEN's mission in June. Veteran assets include Mars Odyssey, launched in 2001, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, launched in 2005. NASA says every image returned from the Martian surface since 2004 has passed through the relay network.

Blue Ring Anchors Blue Origin's Mars Push

Blue Origin will base MTN on its Blue Ring spacecraft. The company says the platform combines solar-electric and chemical propulsion, high-rate communications and onboard computing, and can carry more than 1,000 kilograms of payload to Mars orbit. The company will base the Mars Telecommunications Orbiter on its Blue Ring spacecraft platform.

"MTO is the backbone of America's Mars exploration program for the next decade and beyond," Blue Origin's National Security President Tory Brunosaid, adding that it will keep future robotic and human missions connected to Earth.

Blue Origin Wins Competitive NASA Race

Rocket Lab Corp.had publicly pitched its Explorer platform for the same opportunity, citing its experience building NASA's twin ESCAPADE Mars spacecraft. NASA selected Blue Origin after issuing its request for proposals in May.

The award expands Blue Origin's push beyond launch and lunar missions. A Blue Ring pathfinder flew aboard New Glenn's inaugural 2025 mission, when the rocket reached orbit on its first attempt and drew congratulations from Elon Musk.

Photo courtesy: Shutterstock

Read Next:

Skip the Regrets: The Essential Retirement Tips Experts Wish Everyone Knew Earlier.
Think you're saving enough for your kids? You might be dangerously off — see why

Building Wealth Across More Than Just the Market

Building a resilient portfolio means thinking beyond a single asset or market trend. Economic cycles shift, sectors rise and fall, and no one investment performs well in every environment. That's why many investors look to diversify with platforms that provide access to real estate, fixed-income opportunities, precious metals, and even self-directed retirement accounts. By spreading exposure across multiple asset classes, it becomes easier to manage risk, capture steady returns, and create long-term wealth that isn't tied to the fortunes of just one company or industry.

Arrived

Backed by Jeff Bezos, Arrived Homes makes real estate investing accessible with a low barrier to entry. Investors can buy fractional shares of single-family rentals and vacation homes starting with as little as $100 . This allows everyday investors to diversify into real estate, collect rental income, and build long-term wealth without needing to manage properties directly.

Qnetic

As electricity demand rises alongside AI, data centers, and renewable energy, long-duration energy storage is becoming increasingly important. Qnetic is developing a kinetic energy storage system designed to provide long-lasting, chemical-free electricity storage , offering investors exposure to the infrastructure supporting a more resilient and reliable power grid.

EquityMultiple

For accredited investors looking beyond stocks and bonds, EquityMultiple provides access to vetted commercial real estate deals starting at $5,000 , with only ~5% of opportunities passing their due diligence process.

FarmTogether

Farmland has historically held its value through market volatility and delivered returns uncorrelated to stocks and bonds. For accredited investors, FarmTogether offers direct access to high-quality U.S. farmland starting at $15,000 — fully managed, with no landlord headaches.

Fundrise

Private real estate and private credit can add income and stability to a stock-heavy portfolio. Fundrise offers access to diversified private real estate and credit strategies through an easy-to-use platform, with professionally managed portfolios designed to generate passive income and long-term growth.