Lunar Citizen(@LunarCitizens):NASA pissed off Rocket Lab, and RKLB doesn’t want Blue Origin to get the MTN contract. Rocket Lab has filed a second GAO protest against NASA’s MTN contract, with a decision deadline of February 1, 2027. This is the roughly $700 million contract NASA awarded to Blue Origin on September 1. The first protest has a deadline of December 21, and during the protest period NASA is required to suspend contract performance. That means Blue Origin’s MTN contract could be frozen until next February, putting even more pressure on the 2028 Mars launch window.

2026.10.30 13:45

NASA pissed off Rocket Lab, and RKLB doesn’t want Blue Origin to get the MTN contract. Rocket Lab has filed a second GAO protest against NASA’s MTN contract, with a decision deadline of February 1, 2027. This is the roughly $700 million contract NASA awarded to Blue Origin on September 1. The first protest has a deadline of December 21, and during the protest period NASA is required to suspend contract performance. That means Blue Origin’s MTN contract could be frozen until next February, putting even more pressure on the 2028 Mars launch window.