Blue Origin's New Glenn Successfully Launches NASA's ESCAPADE Mars Mission and Achieves First Booster Landing

Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully launched NASA's ESCAPADE mission to Mars on November 13, 2025, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The mission had faced previous delays due to weather conditions and technical issues. The launch occurred at 3:55 p.m. Eastern Time, following a brief hold earlier in the day.

The ESCAPADE mission comprises two small satellites, named Blue and Gold, designed to study Mars' magnetosphere and atmospheric escape processes. Approximately 33 minutes after liftoff, the twin spacecraft separated from the upper stage and began their journey toward Mars.

In a significant milestone for Blue Origin, the New Glenn's first stage booster, dubbed "Never Tell Me The Odds," successfully landed on the autonomous ship Jacklyn in the Atlantic Ocean. This marks the first successful recovery of a New Glenn booster, following an unsuccessful attempt during the rocket's inaugural flight in January 2025.

Dave Limp, CEO of Blue Origin, commented on the achievement: "We achieved full mission success today, and I am so proud of the team. It turns out 'Never Tell Me The Odds' had perfect odds—never before in history has a booster this large nailed the landing on the second try. This is just the beginning as we rapidly scale our flight cadence and continue delivering for our customers."

The ESCAPADE mission is part of NASA's Small, Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration (SIMPLEx) program, aiming to conduct high-value planetary science at lower costs. The twin spacecraft, built by Rocket Lab, will spend the next year in a staging orbit before embarking on a 10-month cruise to Mars, with arrival expected in September 2027. The mission's primary goal is to enhance understanding of how solar wind interacts with Mars' atmosphere, providing insights into the planet's climate history and atmospheric loss.

This successful launch and booster recovery signify a notable advancement in Blue Origin's capabilities and contribute to NASA's ongoing efforts to explore Mars and its environment.