New Glenn Static Fire Pushes ESCAPADE Launch Closer

Blue Origin’s New Glenn lit all seven BE-4 engines in a 38-second static fire at LC-36A on Oct. 30, reaching full thrust—about 3.9 million pounds—for 22 seconds after the rocket rolled out and stood up earlier in the week. The mission aims to carry Rocket Lab–built twin ESCAPADE probes for NASA, with launch targeted as soon as Nov. 9, pending checks. Risks remain: the first-stage recovery is unproven after a failed debut landing, the unusual loiter‑then‑Mars trajectory adds complexity, and the date could slip with any technical or regulatory snag.

Reviewed by JQJO team

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