NASA has selected Relativity Space, the rocket company led by former Google chief executive Eric Schmidt, to launch a scientific payload to Mars in 2028 under a new public-private partnership agreement.

The mission will carry NASA’s Aeolus payload, a suite of instruments designed to study the Martian atmosphere. Under the agreement, Relativity Space will provide the spacecraft, launch vehicle and cruise operations required to deliver the payload to the Red Planet.

According to NASA, Aeolus, scheduled to launch in 2028, will provide the first integrated daily global view of atmospheric conditions on Mars, including winds, temperatures, dust and cloud patterns. The agency said the data collected by the mission is expected to improve understanding of the planet’s climate and weather systems.

The payload will carry four scientific instruments focused on atmospheric observations. NASA said the information gathered could help improve future entry, descent and landing technologies for Mars missions, while supporting safer and more predictable planning for future astronaut expeditions.

Relativity Space is best known for developing 3D-printed rockets and launched its first vehicle, Terran 1, in 2023. Although the rocket reached several mission milestones, it failed to achieve orbit after encountering problems during flight.

Schmidt, who served as chief executive of Google between 2001 and 2011, took over leadership of Relativity Space in 2025. Since then, the company has focused on developing its larger reusable rocket, Terran R, which is expected to make its first flight later this year.