There is considerable industry skepticism that Blue Origin can get New Glenn ready in time to meet that launch window, particularly given the tasks ahead and the inherent challenges in getting to a first launch of a new rocket. For example, the first launch of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur faced months of delays even after it performed a static-fire test on the pad in June 2023.
If New Glenn is not ready by the time the ESCAPADE launch window closes Oct. 21, it’s not clear what payload will fly in its place on the rocket’s inaugural launch, or even what will happen to ESCAPADE itself.
Time for a bit less “Gradatim” and a bit more “Ferociter”. I hope they can make the launch window.
That would be quite impressive if they pull it off before the launch window closes on October 21st. Not to mention the first launch sending a payload to Mars and landing the booster on a drone ship.
Definitely will be exciting to watch.
Edit: Fixed a typo, 22st just doesn’t roll off the tongue.
By expending the booster they can buy extra time for the transfer window, due to the extra delta v. Hope it doesn’t come to that though.
Not if the probes can’t slow down on the other end! Their delta V is important, too.
Bezos said they could extend the transfer window in his recent EverydayAstronaut video, so I’m assuming they’ve already run the numbers.
22st
“Twenty-secondst” :)
Haha, good catch. It is fun to try and pronounce.