Rocket Lab announced today that it has submitted a formal protest to the US Government Accountability Office to protest against NASA's award of a 700 million US dollar Mars orbiter contract to Blue Origin. The company believes that NASA's award decision appears to be inconsistent with the eligibility criteria set by Congress, and that the review of Rocket Lab's technical plan is inconsistent, making inaccurate assertions and conclusions. The company said procurement standards exist to ensure fair competition and protect public investment, and the company is promoting this review to maintain these standards.

Rocket Lab announced today that it has submitted a formal protest to the US Government Accountability Office to protest against NASA's award of a 700 million US dollar Mars orbiter contract to Blue Origin. The company believes that NASA's award decision appears to be inconsistent with the eligibility criteria set by Congress, and that the review of Rocket Lab's technical plan is inconsistent, making inaccurate assertions and conclusions. The company said procurement standards exist to ensure fair competition and protect public investment, and the company is promoting this review to maintain these standards.