Blue Origin's New Glenn is scheduled for a second flight, mission NG-2, tentatively set for Nov. 9, 2025, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral. The 322-foot rocket will carry NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars to study solar wind interactions and the planet’s magnetosphere. The FAA lists a launch window of 2:45–5:11 p.m. ET; live coverage starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space. Beaches and riverfront parks across the Space Coast offer recommended viewing spots, but check access and parking rules.
Godspeed, New Glenn: Blue Origin's Heavy-Lift Rocket Readies for Second Launch from Cape Canaveral
Blue Origin's New Glenn is scheduled for a second flight, mission NG-2, tentatively set for Nov. 9, 2025, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral. The 322-foot rocket will carry NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars to study solar wind interactions and the planet’s magnetosphere. The FAA lists a launch window of 2:45–5:11 p.m. ET; live coverage starts two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space. Beaches and riverfront parks across the Space Coast offer recommended viewing spots, but check access and parking rules.
02:11, 08.11.2025Science
Blue Origin's New Glenn set for second launch from Cape Canaveral
Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, is preparing to fly its heavy-lift New Glenn rocket for a second time. The mission, designated NG-2, is tentatively slated for Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Mission overview
NG-2 will carry NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft, bound for Mars to study how the solar wind interacts with the planet and to help characterize Mars' magnetosphere. The FAA operations plan lists a launch window from 2:45 p.m. to 5:11 p.m. ET on Nov. 9, 2025. Exact launch times and trajectory will be confirmed closer to liftoff.
About New Glenn
Named after astronaut John Glenn, New Glenn is a two-stage heavy-lift vehicle developed by Blue Origin. Key specifications and features:
- Height: 322 feet.
- Payload fairing: nearly 23 feet wide.
- First stage: powered by seven BE-4 engines; designed to be reusable for at least 25 flights.
- Upper stage: uses two BE-3U vacuum-optimized engines.
- Maiden flight: Jan. 16, 2025 — the upper stage reached orbit, but the booster was lost during descent.
Why this launch matters
Beyond delivering scientific payloads like ESCAPADE, Blue Origin envisions New Glenn supporting commercial launches — including Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellites — plus missions for NASA and telecommunications providers. The NG-2 flight also contributes to the Space Coast’s busy launch cadence: ESCAPADE is expected to be among the region’s dozens of orbital launches this year.
Where and when to watch
Live coverage: USA TODAY Network’s Space Team will begin live coverage two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space, including a mobile-friendly live blog and countdown clock. You can also download the FLORIDA TODAY app from the App Store or Google Play.
Visibility: Launches from Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center are often visible across Brevard County. Weather and cloud cover determine how far the launch can be seen — on clear days a Space Coast launch can be visible as far north as Jacksonville Beach and Daytona Beach and as far south as Vero Beach and West Palm Beach.
Night or very-early-morning launches offer especially striking visuals: the rocket and its exhaust can illuminate the sky and create dramatic contrails for photographers.
Sonic boom impacts are not expected for Titusville, Merritt Island or the Melbourne area for this mission.
Recommended public viewing spots (Space Coast)
Beaches and waterfront parks typically offer the best sightlines. Note that parking fees, access restrictions and capacity limits may apply at some locations. Plan to arrive early and follow posted rules.
- Playalinda Beach (Canaveral National Seashore) — near-parallel views; access may be limited by capacity.
- Jetty Park Beach & Pier (Port Canaveral) — paid parking.
- Max Brewer Bridge & Parrish Park, Titusville — good riverfront vantage points.
- Space View Park and Sand Point Park, Titusville.
- Rotary Riverfront Park and Riverfront Park at Cocoa Village.
- Cocoa Beach — Cocoa Beach Pier, Alan Shepard Park, Lori Wilson Park, Sidney Fischer Park.
- Satellite Beach — Tables Beach, The Tides on SR A1A, Pelican Beach Clubhouse parks.
- Merritt Island parks
- Causeways and bridges (Pineda Causeway, Eau Gallie Causeway) and Melbourne waterfront parks (Front Street Park, Indialantic boardwalk, Paradise Beach Park).
- Sebastian Inlet Park — note possible entrance fee.
If viewing from the Indian River in Titusville, look east across the river; farther south along the Indian River, look northeast toward the coast. Always avoid blocking roads, rights of way or emergency access; obey park rules and posted signage.
Practical tips
- Check the National Weather Service-Melbourne radar and local forecasts on launch day for cloud cover and wind conditions.
- Expect crowds — arrive early and confirm parking and entry rules at national seashore locations.
- Follow official sources and the USA TODAY Network Space Team for real-time updates and any last-minute scrubs or hold notifications.
For questions or comments, contact FLORIDA TODAY Space reporters: Rick Neale (rneale@floridatoday.com), Brooke Edwards (bedwards@floridatoday.com) or USA TODAY’s Eric Lagatta (elagatta@usatoday.com). For ongoing coverage and launch schedules visit floridatoday.com/space.