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Interplanetary science needs a commercial backbone

Written by  Peter Beck Thursday, 08 January 2026 11:00
An illustration of Rocket Lab’s proposed Earth Return Orbiter, which would capture a container of samples launched from the Martian surface to return to Earth. Credit: Rocket Lab

We are in an era where planetary science no longer depends on government missions. Commercial capabilities are mature and ready to deliver a higher cadence of planetary exploration that fits within proposed budgets. What’s missing is an operational model that matches ambition. The old way — one in which bespoke, government-run missions with decade-long development […]

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