UPDATE: Blue Origin is set to launch its New Glenn rocket this afternoon, carrying NASA’s ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars. The crucial liftoff is scheduled for 3:45 PM ET from Cape Canaveral, following several delays.
The mission marks a significant step toward interplanetary exploration, as ESCAPADE is expected to reach Mars by 2027. After a previous scrub due to extreme solar activity and a prior attempt thwarted by bad weather, this launch is highly anticipated.
In a remarkable moment for Florida’s Space Coast, Blue Origin’s launch could be followed by a second mission later tonight. The United Launch Alliance (ULA) is targeting a nighttime launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 10:04 PM ET. The Atlas V rocket will carry a ViaSat high-capacity broadband satellite, contributing to communications advancements.
If all goes according to plan, these two launches will bring Florida closer to a record-setting 100 launches for the year, with the New Glenn mission and Atlas V launch marking the 95th and 96th missions of 2025. This achievement would surpass last year’s record set by SpaceX.
As excitement builds on the Space Coast, officials from both Blue Origin and ULA are urging spectators to tune in as they attempt to make history. The successful deployment of ESCAPADE is particularly significant, as it will help pave the way for future Mars exploration missions.
Stay tuned for live updates as the countdown to these launches progresses. This is a developing story, and both launches are expected to have a profound impact on the future of space travel and exploration.
