Rocket Lab submitted a formal challenge to the Government Accountability Office on Sept. 11 regarding NASA's selection process for the Mars Telecommunications Network. The aerospace firm alleges the decision violated eligibility criteria mandated by Congress and relied on a punitive review of its technical volume that utilized incorrect assertions and conclusions.

The contract for the critical space infrastructure was awarded to Blue Origin. Rocket Lab stated the GAO protest seeks to protect public investment and ensure fair competition for the system intended to underpin U.S. Mars exploration for several decades.