Rocket Lab is challenging NASA's award of a Mars communications orbiter contract to Blue Origin. The contract is worth up to $700 million. In 2021, Blue Origin challenged NASA's selection of SpaceX for a crewed lunar lander. That dispute was connected to the lunar lander award.

Now Blue Origin has secured the Mars orbiter contract. Rocket Lab is contesting the decision. Rocket Lab's challenge is the ongoing dispute. This time, Blue Origin is the award winner and Rocket Lab is the one protesting.