NASA has faced a setback in its plans to launch two Mars-bound smallsats on Blue Origin’s New Glenn’s maiden flight in October. The twin Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) smallsats were scheduled to launch on New Glenn’s inaugural voyage from Cape Canaveral, Florida, between October 13-21. However, on September 6, NASA made the decision to suspend pre-launch preparations for the spacecraft.
The reason for this decision was concerns about the readiness of the rocket. Prior to filling the spacecraft with hydrazine and nitrogen tetroxide propellants, NASA wanted to ensure that New Glenn was fully prepared for launch. The agency determined that it could not afford to delay fuelling the spacecraft, as this would lead to major financial, scheduling, and technical complications in the event of a launch delay caused by various factors.
While Blue Origin had expected New Glenn to launch within the nine-day mid-October window, the company still had to complete testing and assembly of the rocket. Due to the inherent complexities of new rocket launches, there were potential risks associated with missing the October launch window. NASA wanted to avoid the challenges of removing propellants from the spacecraft in the event of a delay, hence the decision to suspend pre-launch preparations.
The decision to remove ESCAPADE from the first New Glenn launch was made in order to ensure that the mission would proceed smoothly and successfully. NASA emphasized the importance of allowing for sufficient margin in prelaunch work to guarantee readiness for the tight planetary launch window. Bradley Smith, director of NASA Headquarters Launch Services Office, highlighted the critical nature of the mission and the need for thorough preparation.
Despite the delay, NASA remains committed to launching ESCAPADE, a low-cost mission designed to explore the Martian magnetosphere and solar wind. The agency expressed its dedication to seeing ESCAPADE safely launched into space and is targeting a potential launch date in early 2025. While details about the alternate launch schedule have not been disclosed, NASA is confident in its decision to delay the mission in order to ensure its success.
Blue Origin has expressed support for NASA’s decision to target the ESCAPADE mission for a launch in spring 2025. The company is dedicated to seeing the mission through and is looking forward to the flight. Additionally, Blue Origin plans to incorporate unnamed Blue Ring orbital transfer vehicle technology into New Glenn’s maiden flight, marking the first Space Force National Security Space Launch program certification launch.
As the company prepares for the second New Glenn mission, scheduled for November, Blue Origin has not yet announced the payload or timetable for the launch. While there may be slight delays in the rollout process, Blue Origin is not expected to encounter significant obstacles beyond the necessary adjustments to the payload.
In conclusion, while the decision to remove ESCAPADE from the first New Glenn launch may have caused a delay, both NASA and Blue Origin remain committed to the success of the mission. By taking the necessary precautions and allowing for additional time for preparation, the agencies aim to ensure a successful launch in the future. NASA’s dedication to exploring Mars and uncovering new discoveries remains unwavering, and the delay in the ESCAPADE launch is seen as a necessary step towards achieving that goal.
