Archive · 12 Nov 2025
NASA's ESCAPADE Mission: Twin Satellites to Study Mars' Magnetic Field
Imagine NASA is sending two little robot explorers, like twins, to Mars.
They are called Blue and Gold and are about the size of mini-fridges.
These explorers will fly around Mars to learn all about its air, how its weather works, and its invisible magnetic shield.
This is a special mission because it's very cheap, costing only $75 million, which is like a small allowance for space missions.
To save money, they are using a big rocket built by a private company, Blue Origin, instead of NASA's own rocket.
They are also using a clever trick to get to Mars.
Instead of waiting for the perfect time to go, they will launch early and float around in space for a bit, like waiting for a bus.
This 'launch and loiter' plan helps save fuel and allows them to launch when they are ready.
The data they collect could help us understand why Mars lost its water a long time ago.
NASA's ESCAPADE mission will send two twin satellites, Blue and Gold, to Mars.
The mission aims to study Mars' atmosphere, weather, and magnetic field.
ESCAPADE is part of NASA's low-cost SIMPLEx program, costing $75 million.
The twin satellites will orbit Mars from opposite directions to provide a 3D view.
A 'launch and loiter' strategy will be used, with satellites launching towards L2 point and then traveling to Mars in late 2026.
- Who
- NASA, managed by the Space Sciences Laboratory at UC Berkeley, with satellites designed by Rocket Lab and launched by Blue Origin.
- What
- The ESCAPADE mission, sending two twin satellites named Blue and Gold to Mars to study its atmosphere, weather, and magnetic field.
- When
- Scheduled for launch no later than November 12, but will loiter in space until November 2026, reaching Mars in 2027, with data collection starting in 2028.
- Where
- Launching from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and will orbit Mars.
- Why
- To understand Mars' atmosphere, weather, magnetic field, and potentially answer questions about its past water.
- Mission Name
- ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers)
- Number of Satellites
- 2 (Blue and Gold)
- Lead Institution
- University of California, Berkeley (UCB)
- Launch Vehicle
- New Glenn (Blue Origin)
- Total Cost
- $75 million
- Satellite Size
- Mini fridge size, under 250 kg each