NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft launched aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket Thursday afternoon from Cape Canaveral, beginning their journey to Mars with arrival expected in 2027. The successful launch, delayed by extreme solar activity and bad weather, represents a major milestone in the ongoing efforts to explore Mars.
The massive 321-foot (98-meter) New Glenn rocket blasted into the sky and is expected to reach the Red Planet by 2027. The mission carries the ESCAPADE spacecraft, designed to conduct scientific research and advance our understanding of Mars. The launch also included a technology demonstration from Viasat, supporting NASA’s Communications Services Project, which aims to enhance space communications.
Thousands of Blue Origin employees cheered and chanted when the booster separated and landed on its ocean platform offshore, showcasing the enthusiasm and dedication of the team behind this historic mission. Formed in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, Blue Origin has a NASA contract for the third moon landing under the Artemis program, underscoring the company’s significant role in space exploration.
Additionally, United Launch Alliance is targeting a nighttime launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Its Atlas V rocket will lift off from Space Launch Complex 41 at 10:04 p.m. EST, carrying a ViaSat broadband satellite. The mission, also delayed due to a vent valve issue with its booster’s liquid-oxygen tank, highlights the challenges and complexities involved in space launches.
If both launches succeed, they will mark the ninety-fifth and ninety-sixth launches of the year on Florida’s Space Coast, bringing the region closer to a record 100 launches in 2025. This milestone follows SpaceX’s Starlink mission earlier this month, which set a new annual record, demonstrating the rapid advancement and increasing frequency of space launches.
These missions are part of broader efforts to advance space exploration and technology, with implications for both scientific research and commercial activities in space. As NASA and private companies continue to push the boundaries of space exploration, their collaboration and innovation are expected to play a crucial role in future missions to Mars and beyond.