Blue Origin plans the second flight of its New Glenn rocket (NG‑2) from Cape Canaveral on Nov. 9, 2025, carrying NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars. The FAA lists a launch window from 2:45–5:11 p.m. ET, with an east‑southeast trajectory from Launch Complex 36. New Glenn stands 322 feet tall, uses seven BE‑4 first‑stage engines and two BE‑3U upper‑stage engines, and is designed for multiple reuses. For in‑person viewing, Volusia County beaches and Oak Hill riverfront parks are recommended; live coverage typically begins two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
Where to Watch Blue Origin’s New Glenn Launch from Daytona, New Smyrna Beach and Oak Hill — New Glenn’s Second Flight Set for Nov. 9, 2025
Blue Origin plans the second flight of its New Glenn rocket (NG‑2) from Cape Canaveral on Nov. 9, 2025, carrying NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars. The FAA lists a launch window from 2:45–5:11 p.m. ET, with an east‑southeast trajectory from Launch Complex 36. New Glenn stands 322 feet tall, uses seven BE‑4 first‑stage engines and two BE‑3U upper‑stage engines, and is designed for multiple reuses. For in‑person viewing, Volusia County beaches and Oak Hill riverfront parks are recommended; live coverage typically begins two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space.
09:52, 08.11.2025Science
Blue Origin’s New Glenn set for second flight from Cape Canaveral
Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, is preparing to launch its heavy‑lift rocket New Glenn for a second time. The mission, called NG‑2, is tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 9, 2025, from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The flight will carry NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft on a mission to Mars.
What New Glenn is and what it will carry
Named for astronaut John Glenn, New Glenn is a two‑stage heavy‑lift vehicle standing 322 feet tall with a payload fairing nearly 23 feet across. Its first stage is powered by seven BE‑4 engines and the upper stage uses two BE‑3U vacuum‑optimized engines. New Glenn completed its maiden flight on Jan. 16, 2025; the upper stage reached orbit, but the booster was lost during descent. Blue Origin says the first stage is designed to be reusable for at least 25 flights and the vehicle is intended to carry payloads for customers including Amazon's Project Kuiper, telecommunications companies and government agencies such as NASA.
Mission details
The NG‑2 mission will carry NASA’s twin ESCAPADE spacecraft, which are designed to enter Martian orbit to study solar wind interactions and Martian space weather, including the planet's magnetosphere. The FAA operations advisory lists the launch window for Nov. 9, 2025, from 2:45 p.m. to 5:11 p.m. ET. The planned trajectory is east‑southeast from Cape Canaveral.
No sonic booms are expected over Titusville, Merritt Island or the Melbourne area for this mission.
Where to watch in person
Weather and cloud cover affect visibility; on clear days launches from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral can sometimes be seen as far north as Jacksonville and Daytona Beach and as far south as Vero Beach and West Palm Beach. Night or pre‑dawn launches offer dramatic photo opportunities as the rocket and contrail are illuminated against the dark sky.
Recommended public viewing spots in Volusia County and South Volusia (face south toward the Cape):
- South New Smyrna Beach (Canaveral National Seashore)
- Mary McLeod Bethune Beach Park — 6656 S. Atlantic Ave., New Smyrna Beach
- Apollo Beach, Canaveral National Seashore (access via I‑95 exit 249 east to SR A1A, then south)
- Oak Hill riverfront parks and piers: Sunrise Park (275 River Road), Jimmie Vann Sunrise Park, Riverbreeze Park (250 H.H. Burch Road), Mary Dewees Park (178 N. Gaines St.), Nancy Cummings Park (232 Cummings St.), A.C. Delbert Dewees Municipal Pier (243 River Road)
- Goodrich's Seafood and Oyster House (back deck) — 253 River Road, Oak Hill
- Seminole Rest National Historic Site — 211 River Road, Oak Hill
- Bird Observation Pier on River Road (across from the municipal pier)
- Rose Bay, Port Orange
- New Smyrna Beach Inlet and nearby lifeguard station
- Halifax Harbor Marina, Daytona Beach
- Ormond‑by‑the‑Sea (Ormond Beach)
- George R. Kennedy Memorial Park, Edgewater
Live coverage and how to follow
If you prefer to watch online, the USA TODAY Network Space Team typically begins live coverage about two hours before liftoff at floridatoday.com/space, offering a mobile‑friendly live blog and countdown clock. Download the FLORIDA TODAY app from the App Store or Google Play, or visit floridatoday.com/space in your browser for updates.
For launch and radar updates, check local weather services and the National Weather Service‑Melbourne radar to confirm cloud cover in real time.
Practical tips for viewers
- Check the weather and radar before you leave—visibility can change quickly.
- Arrive early to secure a spot and avoid heavy traffic on causeways and coastal roads near launch time.
- If you plan to photograph the launch, bring a tripod and test exposure settings for night or low‑light shots; long exposures capture the illuminated contrail best.
- Bring sun protection, water and a charged phone—services can be limited near park entrances.
Contact and further reading
For questions or comments about launch coverage, contact FLORIDA TODAY space reporters Rick Neale at rneale@floridatoday.com or Brooke Edwards at bedwards@floridatoday.com, or USA TODAY Network Space Connect reporter Eric Lagatta at elagatta@usatoday.com. For more space news and schedules from Cape Canaveral and Kennedy Space Center, visit floridatoday.com/space.
Note: This article was adapted from coverage that originally appeared in The Daytona Beach News‑Journal and has been updated and reorganized for clarity and ease of use.