"NASA Seeks Input on Private Mars Missions from Industry for the First Time"

NASA has issued a solicitation to the US space industry for proposals on how they would complete private missions to Mars, including delivering small satellites into orbit or providing imaging services. The agency will pay proposers for studies of reference missions and intends to award multiple contracts. This marks NASA's first step in extending its commercial approach to Mars, aiming to leverage the lower costs of commercial space to allow for more science and exploration. The solicitation seeks a broad array of potential contributors and may potentially provide replacements for NASA's aging fleet at Mars.