NASA's ESCAPADE spacecraft complete powered Earth flybys en route to Mars

The short version

• Both ESCAPADE spacecraft completed powered Earth flybys that used gravity and engine burns to head toward Mars.[NASA News]
• The first flyby occurred on Nov. 7 and the second on Nov. 9, and the twin spacecraft are on target to reach Mars in September 2027.[NASA News]
• Mars orbit insertion burns are planned for Sept. 7 and Sept. 9, 2027, and remain the next major milestones.[NASA News]

Key facts

• NASA's two ESCAPADE spacecraft each completed a powered Earth flyby using Earth's gravity and an engine burn to head toward Mars.[NASA News]
• The first spacecraft completed its close approach and trans-Mars injection burn at about 1,000 miles above Earth on Nov. 7.[NASA News]
• The second spacecraft completed its close approach and engine burn at about 650 miles above Earth on Nov. 9.[NASA News]
• The twin spacecraft are on target to reach Mars in September 2027, with orbit insertion burns planned for Sept. 7 and Sept. 9, 2027.[NASA News]
• The two ESCAPADE spacecraft launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida on Nov. 13, 2025.[NASA News]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• NASA’s ESCAPADE Completes Powered Earth Flybys, Now En Route to MarsNASA News