The challenge? Build twin satellites on a drastically tight timeline for a complex Mars mission, and do it for a tiny fraction of the typical cost of interplanetary missions.
Our team: You got it 🫡
NASA's ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) mission is targeting no earlier than Oct. 13 for launch on a @BlueOrigin rocket.
ESCAPADE will study the interaction of solar wind with the magnetosphere on Mars: https://t.co/2OR5NsOjY8
🛰️🛰️ Ready for Mars! We've shipped our twin spacecraft, Blue and Gold, off for launch in Cape Canaveral, Florida to enable @ucbssl and @NASA's ESCAPADE mission! Designed & built by our team, these spacecraft will help unravel Mars' magnetic fields & plasma mysteries. Learn more https://t.co/fhIXX99mKn
A New Glenn Second Stage was outside of the Blue Origin factory this morning with a convoy assembled around it, likely planning to head to Launch Complex 36 soon.
Boom! That's right we're testing the deployment of the 2-meter booms that houses our magnetometers and our multi-needle langmuir probes. Nice job Parth (in pic), they're delicate!
Apparently Jurassic Park was released 31 years ago today! This kitchen scene still has me on edge when I watch. I think it’s the look on the raptors eyes.
Our ESCAPADE spacecraft for @NASA and @ucbssl have been going through some very exciting times 🛰️
The lead spacecraft (Blue) recently completed vibe and shock testing and is gearing up for TVAC. Gold (the second spacecraft) is following closely behind and going through component closeout.
Not long to go before Blue and Gold get to meet the Red Planet!
3…2…1… LIFTOFF of 2024! 🎉🚀
New Year? New Missions!
The Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) mission consists of two identical spacecraft that will study the structure, composition, variability, and dynamics of Mars' unique hybrid magnetosphere.
Today’s festivities continue!
@blueorigin has raised New Glenn’s TE vertical for the first time with stage 1 and 2 simulator hardware at LC-36.
Massive thanks to @StarFleetTours for bringing us out this afternoon!
📸 - @NASASpaceflight
📺 - https://t.co/pWsv50gmvY
Bradley Smith, director of NASA's Launch Services Program, says the agency's Mars-bound ESCAPADE smallsats will fly on an "incredibly ambitious first launch for (Blue Origin's) New Glenn" rocket "around this time next year."
What do you pack for a mission to Mars orbit to study the red planet’s magnetosphere?
Why a Floating Potential Probe, Planar Ion Probe & Electrostatic Analyzer, of course!
Exciting times at our spacecraft production complex where scientific instruments are being integrated with our twin spacecraft designed to study Mars’ magnetosphere in a mission for @NASA & @UCBSSL.