Rocket Lab Completes NASA ESCAPADE Mars Spacecraft

Twin Rocket Lab-built ESCAPADE craft Blue and Gold now commissioned at Earth-Sun L2, ready for Mars science operations

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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Rocket Lab USA, a subsidiary of Rocket Lab Corporation, has successfully completed commissioning of the twin ESCAPADE spacecraft for NASA's University of California Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory. The two Explorer-class interplanetary spacecraft, named Blue and Gold, are now fully operational at the Earth-Sun Lagrange Point 2 (L2), approximately 1.5 million kilometers from Earth. Rocket Lab designed, built, and provided commissioning for the ESCAPADE mission, which will study how the solar wind strips molecules from Mars' atmosphere to offer insights into the planet's atmospheric escape history and space weather environment.

Why it matters

The ESCAPADE mission will provide crucial data to support future human and robotic exploration of Mars, including the potential development of a Mars Telecommunications Orbiter. Rocket Lab's ability to rapidly deliver the ESCAPADE spacecraft on a tight timeline and budget demonstrates the potential for commercial-government collaboration to advance important space science objectives.

The details

Under contract from UC Berkeley's Space Sciences Laboratory, Rocket Lab was selected to design, build, and commission the two ESCAPADE spacecraft. Rocket Lab moved from concept to launch readiness in just over three years, leveraging its vertically integrated spacecraft production capabilities to deliver the key components in-house. Launched in November 2025, the Blue and Gold spacecraft completed commissioning and executed trajectory correction maneuvers to reach their loiter orbit near L2.

  • The ESCAPADE spacecraft were launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in November 2025.
  • The spacecraft completed commissioning and reached their orbit near the Earth-Sun Lagrange Point 2 (L2) in February 2026.
  • The spacecraft are scheduled to perform a gravity assist maneuver around Earth in November 2026 to slingshot toward Mars.
  • Blue and Gold are expected to arrive at Mars in September 2027, with science operations beginning in 2028.

The players

Rocket Lab USA

A wholly owned subsidiary of Rocket Lab Corporation, a global leader in launch services and space systems.

University of California Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory (UCB-SSL)

The organization leading the ESCAPADE mission, which will study the solar wind's impact on Mars' atmosphere.

Sir Peter Beck

Founder and CEO of Rocket Lab.

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What they’re saying

“ESCAPADE proves what's possible when government, university and commercial teams come together with ambition, drive, and determination to do things differently.”

— Sir Peter Beck, Founder and CEO, Rocket Lab (Rocket Lab Press Release)

What’s next

In November 2026, the ESCAPADE spacecraft will perform a gravity assist maneuver around Earth to slingshot toward Mars. Blue and Gold are scheduled to arrive at Mars in September 2027, with science operations expected to begin in 2028.

The takeaway

Rocket Lab's successful delivery of the ESCAPADE spacecraft demonstrates the potential for commercial-government collaboration to advance important space science missions on ambitious timelines and budgets. The data from ESCAPADE will be crucial for informing future human and robotic exploration of Mars, including the potential development of a Mars Telecommunications Orbiter.