Blue Origin's New Glenn Successfully Launches NASA Mars Probes and Recovers Booster for Future Space Missions
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully launched twin NASA Mars probes, Escapade, to study the Red Planet's atmosphere and magnetic fields, achieving a key booster recovery.
Overview
- Blue Origin successfully launched its New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral, carrying twin NASA ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars, after a four-day delay due to stormy weather and solar activity.
- The identical Mars orbiters, named Escapade, will study the Red Planet's upper atmosphere, magnetic fields, and the impact of space weather during their mission.
- The Escapade probes will spend a year near Earth, 1 million miles away, before transitioning to Mars over a 10-month period to begin their scientific observations.
- Blue Origin successfully recovered the New Glenn booster, partially landing it on a drone ship, a significant achievement for cost reduction and recycling efforts, similar to SpaceX.
- This launch, costing under $80 million, represents a bargain for planetary spacecraft, highlighting Blue Origin's progress in making space access more affordable and competitive.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the Blue Origin New Glenn launch and NASA's ESCAPADE mission neutrally. They prioritize factual reporting, using descriptive language and technical details to explain the event's execution, scientific objectives, and innovative aspects like the mission's trajectory and cost-effectiveness. There is no evidence of loaded terms or selective emphasis in their collective editorial choices.
"Blue Origin launched its huge New Glenn rocket Thursday with a pair of NASA spacecraft destined for Mars."
ABC News"The New Glenn rocket's successful launch and the innovative approach of the ESCAPADE mission represent significant advancements in our understanding of Mars and its atmosphere."
CBS News"Thursday’s launch went a long way toward accomplishing that overarching goal."
TechCrunch"The 321-foot (98-meter) New Glenn blasted into the afternoon sky from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, sending NASA’s twin Mars orbiters on a drawn-out journey to the red planet."
Associated Press"The postponement is the second time Blue Origin has had to delay the mission after clouds rolling into Florida hampered the initial launch attempt on Nov. 9."
USA TODAY"It’s easy to understand why the company chose to postpone."
Gizmodo"The launch of Blue Origin’s big new rocket was delayed due to intense solar storms, which raised concerns about the impact of increased radiation on its Mars-bound spacecraft."
ABC NewsArticles (12)
Center (7)
FAQ
Recovering the New Glenn booster allows Blue Origin to reuse it for future missions, significantly reducing launch costs and making space access more affordable and sustainable, similar to SpaceX's approach with Falcon rockets.
The Escapade Mars probes will study the Red Planet's upper atmosphere, magnetic fields, and the effects of space weather, providing insights into how Mars lost its atmosphere and evolved over time.
New Glenn is the third largest operational launch vehicle, with a payload capacity of up to 45 metric tons to low Earth orbit, slightly higher than Falcon Heavy's 30-40 metric tons, and features a larger 7-meter fairing for bigger payloads.
The New Glenn launch for the Escapade mission cost under $80 million, making it a cost-effective option for planetary spacecraft launches.
The Escapade probes will spend a year near Earth, about 1 million miles away, before transitioning to Mars over a 10-month period to begin their scientific observations.
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