What is the purpose of the EscaPADE mission?

The EscaPADE mission involves two NASA satellites, Blue and Gold, that will orbit Mars to study how solar winds interact with the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere.

How does Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket compare to SpaceX's rockets?

The New Glenn rocket is a heavy-lift vehicle that produces two times more thrust at liftoff than SpaceX's Falcon 9 and about the same as the Falcon Heavy. It offers more cargo room than its rivals as Blue Origin seeks to compete with Elon Musk's SpaceX, the world's most active rocket launch service.

What is the significance of this launch for Blue Origin?

This launch marks a key milestone for Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin as it transitions from a space tourism business to competing with SpaceX in the commercial space industry. The successful delivery of a NASA science payload is an important step in Blue Origin's quest to become a major player in the space market.

Home / Science / Blue Origin Launches New Glenn Rocket, Delivers NASA Satellites to Mars

Blue Origin Launches New Glenn Rocket, Delivers NASA Satellites to Mars

14 Nov

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Summary

Blue Origin's giant New Glenn rocket launched from Florida on debut flight
Carried two NASA satellites to Mars for 22-month voyage and 11-month study
Milestone for Bezos' company as it competes with SpaceX in the space race

On November 14, 2025, the Blue Origin space venture of billionaire Jeff Bezos launched its giant New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida. This was the rocket's debut flight for paying customers, carrying two NASA satellites on their way to Mars.

The powerful two-stage rocket, standing 32 stories tall, blasted off in a roar of flames and billowing clouds of vapor. If all goes as planned, the reusable first-stage booster will separate from the rocket's upper stage and attempt to land on a barge in the Atlantic Ocean.

The primary mission involves NASA's twin EscaPADE spacecraft, designed to orbit Mars in tandem and analyze how solar winds interact with the planet's magnetic field and atmosphere. The satellites, dubbed Blue and Gold, were built by Rocket Lab and will embark on a 22-month voyage to Mars before beginning their 11-month orbital study.