Relativity Space has moved into Mars science with a privately backed orbiter set for launch in 2028. The program pairs company-built spacecraft, rocket and cruise operations with NASA’s Aeolus atmospheric instrument suite, creating a mission architecture aimed at global Mars weather mapping rather than a one-off demonstration flight.
The orbiter is designed to map shallow subsurface ice and geology while characterising winds, temperatures, dust and clouds. NASA will support instrument operations for at least one Martian year, while Relativity retains spacecraft responsibility. The structure points to a reusable template for commercial planetary science, not just transport to Mars.