New Glenn Mission 2: NASA's EscaPADE Mission [Live: 07.11.2025; 19:51 UTC]

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(Edited)

Blue Origin's New Glenn heavy-lift launch vehicle will launch for its second flight on November 9, 2025.
The first mission successfully inserted the primary payload into the planned transfer orbit on the first attempt, demonstrating reliable upper-stage performance and orbital insertion accuracy. However, the first-stage booster landing was unsuccessful.

For a detailed technical recap of the maiden flight (NG-1), see Scott Manley's analysis.

Payload: ESCAPADE Mission

The payload for NG-2 is NASA's Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) dual-spacecraft mission. The spacecrafts were built by Rocket Lab, which has expanded its capabilities through strategic acquisitions to enable full in-house small satellite production.

ESCAPADE consists of two spacecraft that will study Mars' magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind. The primary science objective is to quantify the processes responsible for atmospheric escape, particularly the loss of water over geological time.

  • Mission duration (at Mars): ~6 months (primary science phase)
  • Total mission lifetime: ~2.5 years
  • Current trajectory: Earth–Sun L2 halo orbit for checkout and space weather monitoring
  • Mars arrival: Late 2026
  • Orbit insertion and circularization: ~6 months
  • Science operations: Satellites will gradually separate to enable simultaneous multi-point measurements of the Martian magnetosphere

Due to launch delays, the spacecraft will reside in a halo orbit around the Earth–Sun Lagrange point 2 (L2) prior to trans-Mars injection.

Comparative Launch Vehicle Specifications

The table below compares New Glenn with contemporary heavy-lift vehicles in terms of physical dimensions, estimated launch cost, and payload capacity to low Earth orbit (LEO) and geostationary transfer orbit (GTO/GEO). Note: Cost and performance figures are based on public manufacturer statements and may vary with configuration and contract terms.

The table below highlights how New Glenn stacks up against other prominent rockets in the industry:

RocketNew GlennFalcon HeavyAriane 6Vulcan CentaurLong March 5
Height [m]98706361.6 – 67.357 – 63.2
Diameter [m]73.75.45.45
Cost per Launch [$m]689770 – 11511070
Payload to LEO [kg]45,00050,000 – 63,80010,350 – 21,65027,20025,000
Payload to GEO [kg]13,60026,7005,0007,0005,100

Livestreams

NASASpaceflight Blue Origin Launches New Glenn Flight 2 - NASA ESCAPADE Mission to Mars

Blue Origin TBA

Information on New Glenn

Tim Dodd compared the heavy-lift rockets over 6 years ago:
Will New Glenn be the KING of Heavy Lift Rockets?

Tim Dodd had the opportunity to speak to Jeff Bezos and tour the plant:
First Look Inside Blue Origin's New Glenn Factory w/ Jeff Bezos!

and the launch pad:
First Ever Tour Of Blue Origin's Massive New Glenn Launch Pad w/ Jeff Bezos!

Useful links to stay up to date on launches:

Spaceflightnow.com: Launch Schedule

NASA Spaceflight nasaspacefight.com

Data sources for rocket data: Wikipedia
New Glenn
Falcon Heavy
Ariane 6
Vulcan Centaur
Long March 5

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