URGENT UPDATE: Blue Origin is set to launch its New Glenn rocket this afternoon, carrying NASA’s ESCAPADE spacecraft on a mission to Mars. The launch is scheduled for 3:45 PM ET from Cape Canaveral, Florida, following multiple delays due to extreme solar activity and weather conditions.
This ambitious mission aims to send the twin ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars, where they are expected to arrive by 2027. With the countdown clock reset, anticipation is building as the launch approaches. The previous attempt was halted just 20 seconds before liftoff, intensifying the excitement surrounding today’s event.
In a remarkable double-header, United Launch Alliance (ULA) is also targeting a launch tonight. Their Atlas V rocket, carrying a ViaSat high-capacity broadband satellite, is scheduled for 10:04 PM ET from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. This will be ULA’s second attempt after facing delays last week due to an issue with a booster liquid-oxygen tank vent valve.
If successful, these launches will mark the 95th and 96th launches of the year from Florida’s Space Coast, bringing the region closer to a record-setting 100 launches for 2023. This milestone is significant as it showcases the booming commercial space industry, driven by companies like Blue Origin and SpaceX.
The excitement surrounding today’s events is palpable, with space enthusiasts eagerly awaiting updates. As Florida’s Space Coast gears up for a potentially historic day, all eyes are on the skies. The implications of these missions extend beyond mere numbers; they represent a giant leap for space exploration and technology.
Stay tuned for live updates and further developments as both launches unfold. This is a thrilling moment for space exploration and a testament to human ingenuity.
