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4h ago

Blue Origin Recovers New Glenn Booster on Second Orbital Flight, Sending NASA’s ESCAPADE Toward Mars

The landing signals progress toward reusable operations that could strengthen Blue Origin's standing in upcoming NASA procurements.

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Overview

  • New Glenn lifted off Nov. 13 from Cape Canaveral and placed the twin ESCAPADE probes into a parking orbit for a Mars transfer, with arrival projected in 2027.
  • The first stage touched down on an Atlantic platform about 600 kilometers offshore after separation, a feat previously achieved only by SpaceX.
  • The mission followed two delays earlier in the week due to poor terrestrial conditions and adverse space weather.
  • NASA paid about $18 million for the launch, with the ESCAPADE mission totaling roughly $55 million, according to government data cited by Reuters.
  • Blue Origin said the flight supports a faster cadence, and industry figures — including SpaceX executives and Elon Musk — publicly acknowledged the milestone.