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19m ago

Severe Solar Storm Delays Blue Origin’s Second New Glenn Launch for NASA’s Mars Mission

NASA delayed to protect the twin ESCAPADE Mars probes during a geomagnetic event measured at G4 levels.

Darkness falls as a Blue Origin New Glenn rocket is prepped for launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station November 8, 2025. The rocket is scheduled to launch Sunday afternoon with NASA’s ESCAPADE mission. Craig Bailey/FLORIDA TODAY via USA TODAY NETWORK
Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket sits on the launch pad, shortly before being delayed by weather on Earth and in space.
A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket stands ready on Launch Complex 36 a few minutes before the launch was scrubbed at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Fla., Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025. (AP Photo/John Raoux)
A Blue Origin New Glenn rocket is fueled for launch with NASA's EscaPADE mission, carrying two satellites to orbit Mars, from the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Cape Canaveral, Florida, U.S., November 9, 2025. REUTERS/Joe Skipper

Overview

  • Blue Origin and NASA postponed the Nov. 12/13 liftoff with New Glenn remaining on the pad, and no new launch window has been announced.
  • NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center reported severe geomagnetic conditions that can disrupt communications, navigation and ascent dynamics.
  • The mission will carry NASA’s twin ESCAPADE satellites to study how solar wind affects Mars’ atmosphere, with an initial staging at the Earth–Sun L2 point before heading to Mars.
  • The previous launch attempt on Nov. 9 was scrubbed because of local weather, pad issues and a cruise ship entering the downrange safety zone.
  • Blue Origin plans a downrange booster landing on the drone ship Jacklyn and a successful second flight would advance Space Force certification; a Viasat communications demo is also onboard.