Space probes·NASA / UC Berkeley / Rocket Lab

ESCAPADE

In transitLaunched in 2025·Transit to Mars — arrival Sept 2027

Two small twin orbiters that will study the Martian magnetosphere and understand how Mars' atmosphere escaped into space.

Main objectives

Study the reconnection between solar wind and Mars residual magnetosphere.
Understand atmospheric loss stereoscopically with two simultaneous measurement points.
Map Martian auroras and magnetic tail currents.

Did you know?

The two spacecraft Blue and Gold were built in 3.5 years by Rocket Lab — a record for interplanetary probes.

Timeline

Nov 13, 2025

Launch

New Glenn NG-2 from Cape Canaveral, as primary payload.

Jul 01, 2026

Commissioning complete

Both orbiters checked out.

Aug 01, 2026

Earth and Moon imaging

First science images from a distant Earth orbit.

Nov 01, 2026

Earth gravity assist

Orbital plane change to reach Mars in 2027.

Sep 01, 2027

Mars arrival

Orbit insertion of both orbiters (EMO-1 and EMO-2).

[03]

EESA

Electron analyzer for solar wind and auroras

EMAG

Magnetometer for the magnetized crust of Mars

LPW

Langmuir probe for plasma density and temperature

dry_mass_kg450

manufacturerRocket Lab / UC Berkeley

launch_vehicleNew Glenn NG-2

[03]

Iconic imageMajor
Earth and Moon imaging
First science images from a distant Earth orbit.
Aug 01, 2026
Major
Lancement d'ESCAPADE
New Glenn lance pour la première fois une charge utile interplanétaire : deux orbiteurs vers Mars.
Nov 13, 2025NASA/Rocket Lab ↗
MilestoneNotable
Commissioning complete
Both orbiters checked out.
Jul 01, 2026

[01]

Milestone
Launch
New Glenn NG-2 from Cape Canaveral, as primary payload.
Nov 13, 2025