NASA’s highly anticipated ESCAPADE mission, designed to explore Mars’ atmospheric dynamics, has hit a temporary roadblock. Originally set to launch in October 2024 aboard Blue Origin’s massive New Glenn rocket, the mission is now postponed until spring 2025. The decision stems from NASA’s desire to avoid potential cost overruns and technical challenges that could arise if the launch were to be delayed within the original timeframe.
Update 24 October: Engine Is Installed
The installation of the seven BE-4 engines on the first stage of New Glenn has been finalized. These engines, powered by liquid methane and liquid oxygen, are capable of producing a staggering 17,000 kN of thrust at liftoff. The inaugural flight of New Glenn is scheduled for November 2024.
The seven BE-4 engines in this image will deliver more than 3.8 million pounds of thrust for New Glenn. Three of the seven engines gimbal to provide the control authority for New Glenn during ascent, re-entry, and landing on Jacklyn, the recovery vessel downrange at sea. That gimbal capability, along with the landing gear and Reaction Control System thrusters, are key to making the booster fully reusable.
New Glenn is set to launch from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The facility has undergone extensive upgrades to support New Glenn operations, making it the first newly rebuilt launch complex since the 1960s.
The ESCAPADE Mission: A Closer Look
ESCAPADE, short for Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers, consists of two identical probes, Blue and Gold. These spacecraft are tasked with studying how Mars’ atmosphere interacts with solar wind and space weather, contributing to a better understanding of how to protect future missions to the Red Planet.
The Reasons Behind the Delay
NASA’s decision followed discussions with key partners, including Blue Origin and regulatory bodies like the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). One of the primary concerns was the potential need to remove and replace fuel from the spacecraft, should a launch delay occur. This step would have led to significant cost and schedule challenges, prompting NASA to push the launch to 2025.
Mars missions are typically aligned with specific windows that occur every 26 months, when Earth and Mars are in optimal positions for efficient space travel. However, the early 2025 timeline is achievable due to adjustments in the mission’s design and flexibility.
Blue Origin’s Plans for New Glenn
Despite this delay, Blue Origin is moving forward with New Glenn. The company will now use New Glenn’s inaugural flight, pushed to November 2024, to carry technology for its Blue Ring orbital platform instead of the ESCAPADE mission. It will be its first National Security Space Launch certification flight.
The company has agreed to accelerate New Glenn’s second flight to align with the new 2025 launch window for ESCAPADE.
Required fields are marked *