Blue Origin's New Glenn Launches NASA's Twin Mars Orbiters, Achieves Milestone

On November 13, 2025, Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying NASA's twin Mars orbiters, marking a significant milestone in commercial space exploration.

The mission, known as ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers), involves two identical spacecraft designed to study the interaction between solar wind and Mars' magnetic field. This research aims to enhance understanding of atmospheric loss and radiation conditions on Mars, crucial factors for future human exploration. Managed by the University of California, Berkeley, the mission operates on a budget under $80 million.

The launch faced a four-day delay due to adverse weather conditions and intense solar storms. Initially scheduled for November 9, the liftoff was postponed to ensure the safety of the spacecraft amid heightened solar activity. Once conditions improved, the 321-foot (98-meter) New Glenn rocket lifted off smoothly, marking its second flight and first operational mission for a paying customer.

A notable achievement of this mission was the successful recovery of the rocket's first stage on the landing platform vessel "Jacklyn." This marks Blue Origin's first successful booster landing, a critical step toward reusability and cost reduction in space launches.

The ESCAPADE orbiters are set to spend approximately a year near Earth before embarking on their journey to Mars in 2027, with arrival expected in September of that year. Their mission is to study the planet's upper atmosphere and magnetic fields, providing insights into atmospheric loss and radiation conditions on Mars, which are crucial for future human exploration.

NASA selected New Glenn for this mission to reduce costs, despite delays in the rocket's development. Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos, is in competition with SpaceX, which currently leads Artemis moon landing missions. NASA aims to return astronauts to the Moon before 2030, amid renewed global space race ambitions, including competition from China.

The successful launch and booster recovery signify a substantial step forward for Blue Origin in the competitive commercial space industry. As the company continues to develop its capabilities, it positions itself as a formidable competitor in the evolving landscape of space exploration.