NASA has announced its decision to select Relativity Space, a rocket company headed by Eric Schmidt, for a mission to Mars scheduled for 2028.
This selection marks a significant step in the ongoing competition in the aerospace industry, particularly against SpaceX.
Relativity Space aims to leverage innovative technologies in its mission, which will involve launching NASA's Aeolus payload to the Red Planet.
Updates
Update at 18:41 UTC on 2026-06-19
The Verge reported Relativity Space’s CEO is former Google executive Eric Schmidt. | Image: Alexander Tamargo / Getty Images Relativity Space, the rocket company led by former Google executive Eric Schmidt, was picked to launch NASA's Aeolus payload to Mars i.
Sources: The Verge