New Glenn to Launch NASA Mars Mission This Week
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is set for its second mission on November 9, carrying NASA’s ESCAPADE probes to Mars. This launch marks the first operational flight of New Glenn with a NASA science payload, following its debut mission earlier this year.
Launch Details
The launch is scheduled from Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, no earlier than Sunday, November 9. The 321-foot-tall (98-meter) New Glenn rocket recently completed a successful static fire test of its seven BE-4 engines in October.
ESCAPADE Mission Overview
The ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) mission consists of two identical small satellites named “Blue” and “Gold.” Built by Rocket Lab, these twin probes are part of NASA’s Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program.
Scientific Objectives
- The spacecraft will enter complementary orbits around Mars to study its magnetosphere.
- The mission aims to understand how the solar wind interacts with Mars’ atmosphere, causing atmospheric loss over time.
- By providing a simultaneous dual-satellite, 3D view, ESCAPADE will help reveal how Mars lost its ancient watery climate.
Other Upcoming Launches
Besides New Glenn, several significant launches are planned around the same time, including Europe's Sentinel-1D satellite, ULA’s ViaSat-3 F2 satellite, and missions from SpaceX and China.
“The twin probes, nicknamed ‘Blue’ and ‘Gold,’ were built by Rocket Lab and are part of NASA’s Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program.”
“Once they arrive at Mars, the two spacecraft will enter complementary orbits to study the planet’s unique magnetosphere.”
Author's summary: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is launching NASA’s dual ESCAPADE probes to Mars, aiming to uncover how solar wind strips the planet’s atmosphere and shaped its climate history.