New Glenn to launch NASA Mars mission this week

New Glenn to Launch NASA Mars Mission This Week

On November 9, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket is scheduled for its second flight, carrying NASA’s ESCAPADE probes to Mars. This mission marks the rocket's first operational launch supporting a NASA science payload after its January debut.

Upcoming Space Launches

Details of the New Glenn Mission

The flight will lift off from Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, no earlier than Sunday, November 9.

The ESCAPADE mission, which stands for Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, involves two identical small satellites named “Blue” and “Gold.” Developed by Rocket Lab, these twin probes are part of NASA's Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program.

Mission Objectives

Once orbiting Mars, the probes will enter complementary orbits to study the planet’s magnetosphere. They aim to explore how the solar wind interacts with the Martian atmosphere and contributes to atmospheric loss over time.

“This dual-satellite view will give scientists a real-time, 3D picture of atmospheric escape, helping to solve the puzzle of how Mars lost its ancient, watery climate.”

New Glenn Rocket Status

The 321-foot-tall (98-meter) New Glenn recently completed a successful static fire test of its seven BE-4 engines in October, clearing a key milestone before launch.

Author's summary: Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket is set for a major milestone with NASA's dual ESCAPADE probes aimed at unraveling Mars' atmospheric loss by exploring its magnetosphere in unprecedented 3D detail.

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Astronomy Magazine Astronomy Magazine — 2025-11-04

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