EscaPADE’s Unconventional Route to Mars — Twin Probes to Loiter at L2 Before Reaching the Red Planet

Why EscaPADE Is Taking a Winding Road to Mars

Twin spacecraft called EscaPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration Dynamics Explorers) are preparing for an unprecedented, indirect journey to Mars to study how the planet lost much of its atmosphere billions of years ago. Led by the University of California, Berkeley and supported by industry partners including Advanced Space and Rocket Lab, the mission is part of NASA’s SIMPLEx (Small, Innovative Missions for Planetary Exploration) program, which aims to deliver high-value science with smaller, lower-cost spacecraft.

Launch, partners and cost

The two probes are scheduled to launch as early as 2:45 p.m. ET on Sunday aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, marking a notable early deep-space payload for the new vehicle. EscaPADE’s total mission cost was under $100 million — far less than the typical $300–$600 million price tag for many Mars orbiters — reflecting SIMPLEx’s push for affordable, targeted planetary science.

The novel "launch-and-loiter" plan

EscaPADE was originally designed to take a more direct transfer to Mars during a standard interplanetary "transfer window," which occurs roughly every 26 months. However, launch delays and scheduling changes left the mission without a timely ride during the most recent window in late 2024. Rather than wait for the next prime window in 2026, planners adopted an innovative launch-and-loiter strategy that lets the spacecraft lift off on many possible days yet still reach Mars efficiently.

"We don’t use the word ‘cheap.’ We say, ‘high value,’" said Jeff Parker, chief technology officer at Advanced Space. "The idea is launch anytime, loiter until the planets are just perfectly aligned, and then to depart on your interplanetary cruise to Mars."

Loitering at Lagrange Point 2

After launch, the twin probes will travel to Lagrange Point 2 (L2), a gravitationally balanced spot about 1.5 million kilometers (930,000 miles) from Earth. There the spacecraft will enter a kidney bean–shaped orbit around L2 and "idle" in a relatively benign radiation environment outside Earth’s Van Allen belts. The plan is to remain in that high orbit until the next optimal Mars transfer window opens in late 2026. Around November 2026 the probes would swing back by Earth for a final gravity-assist or burn and then head to Mars, where they are expected to enter Martian orbit in September 2027 regardless of the exact launch day.

Risks and payoff

The extended loiter adds complexity and some wear-and-tear risk to spacecraft components. Mission managers acknowledge that operational risk increases with longer exposure in space, but argue that accepting some risk is essential to lowering costs and expanding mission cadence. Previous low-cost SIMPLEx efforts have faced setbacks — for example, Lunar Trailblazer encountered communications problems and LunaH-Map experienced delays that affected mission readiness — underscoring the trade-offs inherent in small, economical missions.

Significance

If successful, EscaPADE would validate a flexible, lower-cost approach to planetary science and demonstrate a new trajectory option for future missions. It would also be an important early deep-space mission for New Glenn if the launch proceeds as planned. Even a partial success could strengthen the case for more frequent, targeted planetary missions that deliver high scientific value on modest budgets.

Timeline at a glance:

• Planned launch: as early as 2:45 p.m. ET Sunday from Cape Canaveral (New Glenn)
• Loiter: kidney bean orbit around L2 through 2026
• Earth swing-by and departure: around November 2026
• Expected Martian orbit insertion: September 2027

Note: A delayed launch could be affected by U.S. government operations (e.g., a shutdown), and Blue Origin has said it is coordinating with the FAA to keep the mission on track.