[2][7] Concern in NASA is that the currently used relay satellites, 2001 Mars Odyssey and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, may stop functioning, resulting in the need to press the MAVEN science orbiter into use as a backup telecommunications relay.

[12] The proposed orbiter would be propelled with two solar-electric ion thrusters; one engine would be active while the other one would be a spare.

[1] An ion engine would also allow access to multiple latitudes and altitudes to optimise relay contacts.

[15] The President's FY2017 Budget provided $10 million to begin early conceptual work on the proposed Mars orbiter.

It will be lowered to 4,000–4,500 kilometers (2,500–2,800 mi) altitude, where it can serve as a relay while allowing it to continue its science mission.

[21] In March 2018, NASA officials decided that the ageing Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) will be managed such that it will continue service for about ten more years, and the program will now focus its resources on flying a sample-return mission first.