NASA has selected Blue Origin's New Glenn orbital reusable launch vehicle for a 2024 mission to study Mars' magnetosphere.
The Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (ESCAPADE) mission, expected to take off late next year, will examine the magnetized area of space around the Red Planet.
Using two identical small spacecraft, NASA hopes to collect simultaneous two-point observations to help shed light on how energy and plasma enter and leave the magnetosphere, and how it interacts with solar wind.
It will take ESCAPADE about 11 months to arrive at Mars after leaving Earth's orbit, where both spacecraft will spend several months adjusting their orbits before they find the best position to capture data.
"Studying different magnetospheres gives scientists a better understanding of space weather," NASA says. "Which can protect astronauts and satellites both as they orbit Earth and explore the solar system."
"ESCAPADE follows a long tradition of NASA Mars science and exploration missions, and we're thrilled NASA's Launch Services Program has selected New Glenn to launch the instruments that will study Mars' magnetosphere," says Jarrett Jones, SVP of the New Glenn for Blue Origin.
Named after astronaut John Glenn, the New Glenn two-stage rocket is capable of "routinely" carrying people and payloads to Earth orbit and beyond, according to the Blue Origin website. Like the New Shepard suborbital launch vehicle that preceded it, New Glenn features a reusable first stage designed for 25 missions.
Blue Origin is one of 13 companies selected for NASA's Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract.