NASA Planning September Launch Of Mars Smallsat Mission On First New Glenn

In a sign of growing confidence in the capabilities of emerging launch providers, NASA has announced plans to entrust a Mars-bound mission to Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket for its maiden flight. This ambitious move, targeted for a September launch, would see a pair of small satellites embark on a daring scientific adventure to the Red Planet.

The chosen mission, known as ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers), consists of two CubeSats designed to investigate the interaction of the solar wind with Mars's magnetosphere. This vital region shields the Martian surface from harmful radiation and understanding its behavior is crucial for future human exploration endeavors.

"This is an incredibly ambitious first launch for New Glenn and we really appreciate the partnership," said NASA's planetary protection officer, Nick Benardini, during a recent presentation. He acknowledged the inherent risk involved in flying on a new rocket but emphasized the "class D" designation of ESCAPADE, signifying a mission tolerant of a higher degree of risk.

The selection of ESCAPADE for New Glenn's inaugural flight reflects NASA's strategic push to support the burgeoning commercial spaceflight industry. While the space agency prioritizes mission success, the potential cost savings and diversification offered by new launch providers present an attractive proposition.

"It's a very exciting opportunity," said ESCAPADE principal investigator David McCarthy of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in a press release. "We're confident that New Glenn will be a reliable launch vehicle and we're eager to contribute to its successful debut."

However, the September launch window hinges on New Glenn's development progress. Blue Origin, the private space company founded by Jeff Bezos, is yet to publicly announce a firm launch date for its behemoth rocket. Despite the uncertainty, NASA appears optimistic, viewing ESCAPADE as an acceptable gamble with the potential for high scientific reward.

This mission marks a significant milestone for both NASA and Blue Origin. If successful, it would validate New Glenn's capabilities and open doors for future collaborations. For ESCAPADE, the journey to Mars aboard an unproven rocket injects an element of thrilling uncertainty into their already groundbreaking scientific mission.