Washington:NASA's ESCAPADE spacecraft have successfully completed powered Earth flybys, using Earth's gravity and engine burns to propel themselves toward Mars. This marks the first time NASA has utilized such a maneuver to send spacecraft to the Red Planet.
According to Emirates News Agency, the twin ESCAPADE spacecraft are on track to arrive at Mars in September 2027. Upon arrival, the spacecraft will execute an engine burn for approximately 11 minutes to decelerate and enter Martian orbit, occurring two days apart.
Once in orbit, the spacecraft will spend several months adjusting to their scientific positions, preparing to study the Martian environment's changes across time and location. The scientific operations are scheduled to commence in June 2028.