NASA has awarded Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin a $700 million contract to develop, build, and launch a high-tech communications network around Mars. The goal is to have the Mars Telecommunications Network delivered by the end of 2028 – and to have it operational by 2030, NASA said. Includes commentary from Dr. Ken Kremer research scientist and Managing Editor of Space UpClose – in this story from September 3, 2026. Screenshot Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/Fox 35 Orlando. Video:https://youtu.be/8aqm2N-IWhs?si=g2-Kra1N7LjuqyJy
TITUSVILLE, FL – On Sep. 3, I was interviewed on FOX 35 Orlando for an update about Blue Origin receiving the $700 million contract to build NASAs new Mars Telecommunications Orbiter and deliver it to NASA by Dec 31, 2028.
Great news in my opinion!
NASA desperately needs a new science and telecom orbiter at the red planet since the current Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) is 20 years old
Watch the story with my commentary on Fox 35 here:
Caption: NASA has awarded Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin a $700 million contract to develop, build, and launch a high-tech communications network around Mars. The goal is to have the Mars Telecommunications Network delivered by the end of 2028 – and to have it operational by 2030, NASA said. Includes commentary from Dr. Ken Kremer research scientist and Managing Editor of Space UpClose – in this story from September 3, 2026
The goal is to launch it as soon as possible in time for the next launch window so it can become operational in 2030
NASA has awarded Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin a $700 million contract to develop, build, and launch a high-tech communications network around Mars. The goal is to have the Mars Telecommunications Network delivered by the end of 2028 – and to have it operational by 2030, NASA said. Includes commentary from Dr. Ken Kremer research scientist and Managing Editor of Space UpClose – in this story from September 3, 2026. Screenshot Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/Fox 35 Orlando. Video: https://youtu.be/8aqm2N-IWhs?si=g2-Kra1N7LjuqyJy
NASA desperately needs a new Red Planet orbiter to transmit the continuing huge reams of science data and imagery gathered by their current two Mars rovers Perseverance and Curiosity as well as from future robotic and human missions.
NASA has awarded Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin a $700 million contract to develop, build, and launch a high-tech communications network around Mars. The goal is to have the Mars Telecommunications Network delivered by the end of 2028 – and to have it operational by 2030, NASA said. Includes commentary from Dr. Ken Kremer research scientist and Managing Editor of Space UpClose – in this story from September 3, 2026. Screenshot Credit: Ken Kremer/SpaceUpClose.com/Fox 35 Orlando. Video: https://youtu.be/8aqm2N-IWhs?si=g2-Kra1N7LjuqyJy
I’ve personally given dozens and dozens of Mars lectures and created many hundreds of Mars rover mosaics
Ginny & Percy together on Mars! NASA’s Perseverance Mars rover took a selfie with the Ingenuity helicopter, seen here about 13 feet (3.9 meters) from the rover. This mosaic was taken by the WATSON camera on the rover’s robotic arm on Sol 46, April 6, 2021. Ingenuity rests between wheel track with view to Jezero Crater horizon. This Sol 46 mosaic is comprised of over 50 WATSON camera raw images and was stitched by Ken Kremer for Space UpClose. Credits: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS/Ken Kremer/Space UpClose
Contact Ken to schedule presentation or purchase of my Mars rover, space and rocket imagery
Watch for Ken’s continuing onsite coverage of NASA, SpaceX, ULA, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and more space and mission reports direct from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. Stay tuned here for Ken's continuing Earth and Planetary science and human spaceflight news. Dr. Kremer is a research scientist and journalist based in the KSC area, active in outreach and interviewed regularly on TV and radio about space topics. Ken’s photos are for sale and he is available for lectures and outreach events.
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