Home / Science / Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Blasts Off, Sending NASA's Mars Orbiters on Journey
Blue Origin's New Glenn Rocket Blasts Off, Sending NASA's Mars Orbiters on Journey
14 Nov
Summary
- Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket, carrying NASA's twin Mars orbiters
- The 321ft rocket deployed the orbiters, which will travel to Mars and study the planet's atmosphere
- Blue Origin recovered the rocket booster, a key step in reusing and reducing launch costs
On November 10th, 2025, Blue Origin achieved a major milestone with the successful launch of its New Glenn rocket. The massive 321ft (98-meter) vehicle blasted off from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, carrying a pair of NASA spacecraft destined for Mars.
The twin Escapade orbiters, which were originally slated to launch last year, will now embark on a long journey to the red planet. After spending a year in orbit around Earth, the probes will use a gravity assist from our planet to slingshot themselves towards Mars, arriving in 2027.
Once in orbit around Mars, the Escapade spacecraft will map the planet's upper atmosphere and scattered magnetic fields, providing valuable insights into how the Martian environment interacts with the solar wind. This data will help scientists better understand the processes that transformed the once-wet and warm planet into the dry, dusty world we see today.
In a significant achievement for Blue Origin, the company was also able to recover the New Glenn's booster following its separation from the upper stage. This reusability is a crucial step in driving down launch costs, mirroring the approach pioneered by SpaceX. As employees cheered, the booster landed upright on a barge 375 miles offshore, paving the way for future missions.
"Next stop, moon!" the Blue Origin team chanted after the successful landing, hinting at the company's ambitious plans to support NASA's Artemis program and future lunar exploration.
