NASA’s twin ESCAPADE probes use powered Earth flybys to head toward Mars

NASA’s two ESCAPADE spacecraft completed powered Earth flybys on November 7 and 9, 2026, combining Earth’s gravity with engine burns to begin their journey toward Mars. In its November 9 update, NASA said the probes were on track for arrival in September 2027. The agency described the maneuvers as its first powered Earth flybys used to send spacecraft toward Mars.

Launched from Florida on November 13, 2025, the probes initially followed a loitering route near Earth while awaiting favorable planetary alignment. Mars orbit insertion burns were planned for September 7 and 9, 2027, followed by several months of orbital adjustments. Science operations were expected to start in June 2028, examining the solar wind’s interaction with Mars and its role in atmospheric loss.

ESCAPADE’s paired spacecraft are designed to separate changes over time from differences between locations in the Martian environment. A later observing phase would place one probe farther out to measure incoming solar wind while the other measures Mars’s response closer in. NASA said the findings could inform preparations for future human exploration.