Blue Origin to Launch NASA’s ESCAPADE Mission to Mars: How to Watch

Second orbital flight for the New Glenn rocket

Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, is set to lift off its New Glenn orbital launch vehicle this week, carrying NASA’s ESCAPADE (EscaPADE) mission to Mars. This marks the rocket’s second orbital flight and the first time it will attempt a controlled landing of its booster stage for future reuse.

Mission overview

The ESCAPADE spacecraft consists of two small probes designed to study the Martian magnetosphere and its interaction with the solar wind. The probes will separate from the launch vehicle once Earth orbit is achieved, then fire their own propulsion systems to set a trajectory toward the Red Planet.

Key objectives of the launch

• Booster recovery test: New Glenn will perform a high‑altitude re‑entry maneuver, aiming to land its first stage on a floating platform in the Atlantic Ocean.
• Demonstration of rapid‑turnaround capability: Successful recovery would bring Blue Origin one step closer to re‑using the massive booster for future missions.
• Delivery of ESCAPADE: The mission will place the two probes on a trajectory that enables a Mars orbit insertion in 2027.

How to watch the launch

Date: Saturday, 23 November 2025
Launch window: 14:37 UTC (09:37 EST / 06:37 PST)
Location: Launch Complex 36, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida

Live coverage will be streamed on the following platforms:

• NASA TV
• Blue Origin’s official website
• Major streaming services such as YouTube and Twitch (search for “ESCAPADE launch”)
• Social media updates from @NASA and @BlueOrigin on Twitter/X

What to expect

During the first ten minutes, viewers will see the massive New Glenn rocket ignite its seven BE-4 engines, lift off, and climb through the atmosphere. After stage separation, the booster will execute a series of engine burns to slow down and guide itself back toward the ocean. If the landing attempt succeeds, the booster will touch down on a recovery ship equipped with a large net, similar to the method used by SpaceX’s drone ships.

Following booster recovery, the second stage will place the ESCAPADE payload into a low‑Earth orbit before the probes separate and begin their interplanetary cruise.

Why this launch matters

The successful recovery of New Glenn’s first stage would be a major milestone for Blue Origin, demonstrating that its heavy‑lift vehicle can be re‑flown and compete with other reusable rockets in the commercial market. For NASA, the ESCAPADE mission will provide critical data on how Mars’ magnetic environment protects the planet from solar radiation—information essential for future crewed missions.

Stay tuned to the links above for real‑time updates, and prepare for an exciting glimpse into the next generation of spaceflight.