NASA announced on Friday that it will not proceed with fueling the ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) spacecraft, thereby deferring the mission's planned launch window in October. The next potential launch date is now projected for spring 2025, as the agency reviews future opportunities.
The decision follows consultations with Blue Origin, the Federal Aviation Administration, Space Launch Delta 45 Range Safety Organization, NASA’s Launch Services Program, and the Science Mission Directorate. The postponement aims to avoid the significant costs and technical challenges associated with potentially de-fueling the spacecraft if a launch delay occurs.
“This mission will provide crucial insights into Mars’ atmosphere and space weather interactions,” said Nicky Fox, NASA’s associate administrator for science. “We are dedicated to ensuring ESCAPADE’s successful launch and are optimistic about future opportunities to send it to Mars.”
The mission's timing is constrained by the alignment of Earth and Mars, making small schedule adjustments potentially lead to extended delays. NASA and Blue Origin are exploring a new launch window in spring 2025.
Bradley Smith, director of NASA’s Launch Services Office, emphasized the importance of having ample preparation time to align with the tight planetary launch window.
The ESCAPADE mission, led by the University of California, Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory, aims to investigate how solar wind affects Mars’ magnetic environment and atmospheric loss. It falls under NASA’s Heliophysics Division and is part of the Small Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration program. Key collaborators include Rocket Lab, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and Advanced Space LLC. The launch was secured through NASA’s VADR (Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare) contract with Blue Origin.
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