Mars’ atmosphere will be studied for the first time using a commercial spacecraft equipped with NASA scientific instruments. Relativity Space has partnered with the agency and will be responsible for developing the spacecraft itself, the launch vehicle, and flight control. The launch is scheduled for 2028.
Four instruments from NASA
The Aeolus science payload, developed at NASA’s Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley, consists of four complementary instruments. Together, they are designed to provide the first daily global picture of Martian winds, temperatures, dust, and clouds simultaneously. Never before has there been such a level of detail in atmospheric observations of Mars.
The suite includes a wind and temperature sounder using the Doppler measurement method, a thermal sounder for constructing vertical temperature profiles and observing clouds, a surface radiometric package for measuring the radiation balance and dust, and a wide-angle context camera for daily global images of the atmosphere.
Why is the atmosphere so important?
The Martian atmosphere is dense enough to cause aerodynamic heating during entry, but too thin to allow for effective braking using parachutes. As a result, landing spacecraft remains one of the most challenging engineering problems in planetary missions. Dust storms can engulf the entire planet and last for months, drastically altering the density of the atmosphere at the altitudes where spacecraft decelerate before landing.
The data from Aeolus are expected to refine models of atmospheric behavior and directly influence the design of entry, descent, and landing systems for future crewed missions. Previous Mars orbiters—MAVEN, the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Mars Odyssey—studied the atmosphere partially and independently of one another. Aeolus will, for the first time, combine all key parameters into a single daily picture.
A partner with no orbital experience
Relativity Space, a rocket company led since March 2025 by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt, has yet to launch any payload into orbit. Its only launch took place in March 2023. At that time, the Terran 1 rocket successfully passed through the region of maximum aerodynamic pressure, but the second-stage engine shut down and the vehicle did not reach orbit.
The maiden launch of the new two-stage reusable Terran R rocket is scheduled for late 2026. The spacecraft carrying the Aeolus science payload is slated to be delivered to Mars by this very rocket in 2028.
The collaboration is formalized through a Space Act Agreement. This is a mechanism that allows NASA to engage commercial partners without traditional government contracts. The agreement is for six years and is the first of its kind for the agency.
Division of responsibilities
Under the terms of the partnership, NASA will fund and maintain the scientific instruments for at least one Martian year (approximately 1.88 Earth years) and will also develop data processing software. Relativity Space is responsible for the spacecraft itself and flight control.
The measurement results will be made publicly available for widespread use. Work on the science payload is underway at NASA’s Ames Research Center in collaboration with GATS and Xiomas Technologies.
According to nasa.gov
