EscaPADE

ESCAPADE
Mission typeMars orbiter
Websiteescapade.ssl.berkeley.edu
Mission duration2.5 years (planned)[1]
Spacecraft properties
SpacecraftBlue and Gold
BusPhoton
ManufacturerRocket Lab
Launch massTotal: 180 kg (400 lb)
Individual: 90 kg (200 lb)[1]
Dimensions60 × 70 × 90 cm (24 × 28 × 35 in)[2]
Power260 watts[1]
Start of mission
Launch dateNET Spring 2025 (planned)
RocketNew Glenn
Launch siteCape Canaveral, LC-36
ContractorBlue Origin
Orbital parameters
Reference systemAreocentric
Periareion altitude160 km (99 mi)[1]
Apoareion altitude7,000–10,000 km (4,300–6,200 mi)[1]
Inclination60°
Mars orbiter
Orbital insertionEarly 2026 (planned)
Transponders
BandwidthX band[2]

Mission logo
SIMPLEx program

Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) is a planned spacecraft mission to Mars consisting of two spacecraft known as Blue and Gold.[3][2] The mission, once expected to launch in November 2024, is part of NASA's SIMPLEx program.[4] By May 2024 the spacecraft had reached substantial completion,[5] and in August 2024 the spacecraft arrived at the launch site.[6] However, the launch has been postponed to Spring 2025 due to cost, schedule and technical issues involved with the mission's New Glenn launch vehicle, which was set to debut with the launch of these spacecraft.[7]

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  6. ^ Foust, Jeff (19 August 2024). "Rocket Lab-built Mars smallsats arrive at launch site". SpaceNews. Retrieved 6 September 2024.
  7. ^ @blueorigin (23 August 2024). "#NewGlenn's inaugural mission aims to send @NASA's ESCAPADE to Mars, with a launch date no earlier than October 13" (Tweet) – via Twitter.