One Mars spacecraft, two senators, and a cloud of questions

Key points

• NASA released a much-anticipated contract solicitation for a Mars-orbiting spacecraft late last week, kicking off what is sure to be a hotly contested and potentially controversial procurement.
• At issue is $700 million, already appropriated by Congress, to build a spacecraft, launch it to Mars, and once there to serve as a vehicle to relay communications between the red planet and Earth.
• But the stakes may be even bigger than this, including the possible resurrection of the recently canceled Mars Sample Return mission.
• As part of the new solicitation, NASA says it will conduct the acquisition “as a full and open competition.” But will it?
• That’s the question that several people involved with this procurement process are asking.