Twin Mars probes complete Earth flybys en route

NASA reports that both ESCAPADE spacecraft have finished powered flybys of Earth, using the planet's gravity and engine burns to set course for Mars. The first flyby took place on 7 November 2026 and the second on 9 November 2026. The twin probes are now on target to reach Mars in September 2027. ESCAPADE launched on Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket in November 2025. Rob Lillis, the mission's principal investigator, said no NASA mission has previously used a powered flyby in this way.