NASA has made a significant decision regarding the launch of two Mars-bound smallsats on Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket. The twin Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) smallsats were initially scheduled to launch on New Glenn’s maiden flight from Cape Canaveral, Florida in October. However, NASA suspended pre-launch preparations for the spacecraft on September 6 due to concerns about the rocket’s readiness.

NASA made the decision to halt pre-launch activities more than a month before the scheduled launch date in order to assess the readiness of the New Glenn rocket. The agency was worried about the possibility of having to remove fuel from the spacecraft in case of a launch delay, which could lead to significant financial, scheduling, and technical challenges. As a result, NASA decided to delay the launch of ESCAPADE on New Glenn.

Blue Origin had anticipated launching New Glenn within a nine-day window in mid-October. However, the company still needed to conduct tests and assemble the rocket, which posed a challenge given the typical complications associated with new rocket launches. NASA wanted to avoid the complexity of removing propellants from the spacecraft if the launch was delayed beyond October, which prompted the decision to suspend pre-launch preparations.

According to Bradley Smith, director of NASA Headquarters Launch Services Office, this mission is crucial for NASA and it was important to ensure that there was enough time for pre-launch work to be completed before the tight planetary window for the launch. Despite the delay, NASA indicated that ESCAPADE might launch again on New Glenn in early 2025. The agency did not specify when the spacecraft would reach Mars on this alternate timeline, as it would fall outside the conventional Mars launch window.

Even though the launch of ESCAPADE has been postponed, NASA remains committed to the mission, which aims to explore the Martian magnetosphere and solar wind. Nicky Fox, NASA’s assistant administrator for science, expressed enthusiasm for the mission and said that the agency is dedicated to safely sending ESCAPADE into space. Blue Origin also voiced support for NASA’s decision to target the ESCAPADE mission for a launch no earlier than spring 2025.

In addition to ESCAPADE, Blue Origin announced that New Glenn’s maiden flight would carry unspecified Blue Ring orbital transfer vehicle technology and would be the company’s first Space Force National Security Space Launch program certification launch. The launch is now expected to take place in November instead of December on the second New Glenn mission, although Blue Origin has not disclosed details about the second launch’s payload or timeline.

Despite the delay in the launch of ESCAPADE, sources within the industry suggest that Blue Origin is not expected to face significant delays beyond changes to the payload. The top stage of the rocket is set to undergo static-fire testing on the pad in early November, with a possible delay in the rollout until later in the month. NASA and Blue Origin are working together to ensure the success of the mission and are looking forward to the eventual launch of ESCAPADE in 2025.