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

Now Blue Origin has won the Mars orbiter deal. Rocket Lab is contesting the selection. Rocket Lab's protest is the latest dispute. This time, Blue Origin is the winning side and Rocket Lab is the one protesting.