Amazon's Blue Origin to launch New Glenn rocket to Mars in October

Blue Origin has set the date for the first flight of its New Glenn heavy launch vehicle. The launch is scheduled for no earlier than 13 October, Blue Origin said on Friday.

Here's What We Know

The rocket will carry two probes created by Rocket Lab for the NASA Escapade mission, which will study the effect of the solar wind on the atmosphere of Mars. This launch will be the debut of the New Glenn after several years of delays in its development and is to be performed during the window of opportunity for flights to Mars, which is open every two years.

The launch will take place from Space Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida. The Escapade mission arrived in Florida on 19 August for training.

Despite recent production disruptions that have affected hardware for future missions, Blue Origin is still on track to conduct the first flight of New Glenn this year.

Source: Engadget