On 07/09/2024 13:10 Snidely <
snidely.too@gmail.com> wrote:
NASA has judged the October launch timing to be at risk, and has
delayed the trip to Mars by at least 6 months. New Glen will loft a
test prototype of the Blue Ring transfer vehicle instead. Launch dates
for both missions TBD, but Bezos really wants the first flight to be in
2024.
Though the optimal Mars window is about to close for 18-24 months,
there may be a practical but complex trajectory that could reduce the
wait.
I doubt New Glenn will fly before spring.
In any case ESCAPADE is something NASA slapped together to fly
something on the new vehicle. It isn't critical for NASA's Mars
exploration program.
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