NASA has announced a public-private partnership with Relativity Space to launch the Aeolus mission to Mars in 2028. The mission will carry a NASA-developed suite of four instruments designed to provide the first integrated, daily, global observations of the Martian atmosphere, including wind, temperature, dust, and cloud patterns. This data will improve atmospheric models essential for safely landing both robotic and human missions on Mars.

NASA will provide the scientific payload and data-processing systems, while Relativity Space will supply the spacecraft, launch vehicle, and mission operations. The collaboration operates under a six-year reimbursable Space Act Agreement, marking a shift toward more frequent, cost-efficient science missions by leveraging commercial capabilities. The payload will be built and integrated at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California.

Aeolus builds on decades of Mars atmospheric science from missions like MAVEN, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, and Mars Odyssey. By delivering continuous, high-resolution environmental data, the mission aims to reduce risks in entry, descent, and landing systems. NASA will support instrument operations for at least one Martian year (about 687 Earth days), ensuring long-term data collection for researchers worldwide.