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 will embark on its second mission, carrying NASA’s ESCAPADE probes to Mars. This week also features launches of Europe’s Sentinel-1D satellite, ULA's massive ViaSat-3 F2 satellite, and missions from SpaceX and China.

Blue Origin’s Second New Glenn Launch

The New Glenn heavy-lift rocket is scheduled to lift off from Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station no earlier than Sunday, November 9. This marks the rocket’s first operational flight after its debut mission in January, and it will carry a NASA science payload for the first time.

ESCAPADE Mission Overview

The payload consists of two identical small satellites called ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers). These twin probes, known as “Blue” and “Gold,” were developed by Rocket Lab under NASA’s Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program.

“The 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.”

Once in Mars orbit, the probes will take complementary positions to study the planet’s unique magnetosphere. Their primary goal is to understand how the solar wind interacts with the Martian atmosphere and gradually strips it away.

Technical Details

The New Glenn rocket stands 321 feet (98 meters) tall and recently completed a successful static fire test of its seven BE-4 engines in October.

Other Scheduled Launches

The week’s schedule highlights significant progress in space exploration by several international and commercial players.

Author’s Summary

The upcoming New Glenn launch marks a crucial milestone for Blue Origin and NASA’s ESCAPADE mission, aiming to unlock new insights about Mars’ atmospheric loss through dual satellite observations.

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Astronomy Magazine Astronomy Magazine — 2025-11-03

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