Blue Origin launches New Glenn rocket to Mars after delays

Blue Origin's New Glenn Mission NG-2 launched a second mission from Cape Canaveral Thursday, carrying NASA's twin ESCAPADE spacecraft to Mars.

The spacecraft is expected to reach the Red Planet by 2027.

The launch was previously delayed due to extreme solar activity and bad weather.

This launch is to support ESCAPADE's science objectives as the twin spacecraft progress on their journey to the Red Planet. 

UFO MANIA GRIPS SMALL TOWN AFTER MYSTERIOUS GLOWING OBJECT SIGHTING GOES VIRAL

Also onboard is a technology demonstration from Viasat in support of NASA's Communications Services Project.

United Launch Alliance is also said to be targeting a nighttime launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Its Atlas V rocket will lift off from Space Launch Complex 41 at 10:04 p.m. EST, carrying a ViaSat broadband satellite. 

ULA's mission had been delayed twice last week due to a vent valve issue with its booster's liquid-oxygen tank.

If both launches are successful, they will mark the ninety-fifth and ninety-sixth launches of the year on Florida's Space Coast bringing the region closer to a record 100 launches in 2025.

The milestone follows SpaceX's Starlink mission earlier this month, which set a new annual record.