Rocket Lab-built ESCAPADE spacecraft launch toward Mars on New Glenn

Rocket Lab

NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft, built by Rocket Lab and carrying instruments from UC Berkeley, launched toward Mars on November 13 aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn. The satellites will map Mars' magnetic field and ionosphere to understand atmospheric escape and historical water loss.

• Spacecraft names: Blue and Gold, named after UC Berkeley school colors.
• Rocket Lab built the spacecraft bus; UC Berkeley developed instruments, booms and data processing.
• Mission focus: map Mars magnetosphere, upper atmosphere and ionosphere in three dimensions.
• Two probes arrive at Mars in 2027, expected to study atmospheric changes on 2–30 minute timescales.