NASA’s ESCAPADE Completes Powered Earth Flybys, Now En Route to Mars
NASA’s two ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) spacecraft have each successfully completed a powered Earth flyby, using Earth’s gravity in combination with a sustained engine burn to slingshot themselves toward Mars. With these successful maneuvers complete, the twin spacecraft are on target to reach the Red Planet in September 2027. “This is […]
NASA's ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) spacecraft duo have successfully completed two powered Earth flybys, utilizing Earth's gravity and a sustained engine burn to propel themselves towards Mars. The mission, launched on November 13, 2025, saw the first spacecraft approach Earth at 5 a.m. EST on November 7 and the second at 6 a.m. EST on November 9.
Each spacecraft then executed a 9-minute trans-Mars injection burn, placing them on a path to Mars, with an expected arrival in September 2027. These powered flybys mark the first time NASA has used this method to propel a spacecraft towards Mars. By leveraging Earth's gravity, the ESCAPADE mission pioneers a unique strategy for reaching Mars, allowing for launches at any time and using Earth's gravity assist.
Once in Mars orbit, the twin spacecraft will study the interaction between the solar wind and the Martian environment, aiding future human exploration of the Red Planet.
Written by urgent.news from NASA's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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- NASA’s ESCAPADE Completes Powered Earth Flybys, Now En Route to Mars science.nasa.gov
