MTN-402-REQ-0001, Revision Preliminary 2: Mars Telecommunications Network Objectives and Requirements Document

This is a Objectives and Requirements Document for NASA's Mars Telecommunications Network (MTN) project, effective February 27, 2026. The document establishes technical and operational requirements for a high-performance Mars telecommunications orbiter system capable of providing robust, continuous communications between Mars assets and Earth through 2035. The MTN system must achieve full operational readiness by end of calendar year 2030 (threshold) or 2029 (goal), with hardware delivery completed by December 31, 2028. The project is procured via FFP (Firm Fixed Price) mechanism, with scope including delivery of ground and flight hardware but excluding specific launch vehicle requirements.

The document specifies comprehensive requirements across four primary areas: Project Requirements (13 total), Vehicle Requirements (8 total), Direct with Earth (DWE) Link Requirements (6 total), and Proximity Link Requirements (13 total). Critical performance parameters include: minimum 5-year operational lifetime; DWE link availability of ≥95% threshold (≥99% goal) with data rates of ≥0.1 Mbps forward/≥1 Mbps return at maximum range (~400km); Proximity Link availability of ≥98% threshold (≥99% goal) with UHF data rates ≥2 Mbps threshold (≥8 Mbps goal) and Advanced Proximity Link rates ≥25 Mbps threshold (≥100 Mbps goal); all links meeting ≥3 dB margin; bit error rates of 10⁻⁷ or better; and support for 2-way coherent ranging/Doppler with 1m precision and 0.5mm/s Doppler precision. The system must provide store-and-forward capability (1.0 Tbyte DWE; 0.5 Tbyte Proximity), support concurrent full-duplex operations, include ≥2 simultaneous Proximity Link communications, and maintain compatibility with Deep Space Network standards and CCSDS BPv7 protocols. Key stakeholders include ESDMD, SOMD, SAO, SMD, SCaN Program, and M2M.