🚀 Kiwi Birds on Mars! 💰 A Bold Mission!

Tech & Science

The twin probes, dubbed “Blue” and “Gold,” recently launched toward Mars as part of NASA’s Mars ESCAPADE mission, carrying a unique surprise: the first kiwi birds to venture to the red planet. Developed by the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, and built by Rocket Lab – a California-based space company founded in New Zealand – these spacecraft are designed to study how space weather affects Mars’ atmosphere and the planet’s evolving magnetosphere. Rocket Lab has a longstanding tradition of incorporating kiwi birds into its designs, a playful challenge for its engineers and a nod to the company’s New Zealand origins. Initially, the two mini-fridge-sized satellites will enter a loiter orbit around Lagrange point 2, roughly a million miles from Earth, allowing them to wait for Earth and Mars to align again in the fall of 2026 before utilizing a gravity assist to begin their 10-month journey to Mars, expected to arrive in September 2027. Upon arrival, the spacecraft will eventually enter orbit at an initial altitude of 280 miles. The launch took place on a New Glenn rocket, the second of its kind, departing from Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. A key aspect of the mission is the vehicle’s first stage returning to the “Jacklyn” recovery ship, a pioneering move by Blue Origin. The ESCAPADE mission unfolds in a fascinating two-part approach to studying Mars’ near-space environment. Starting in June 2028 and continuing through May 2029, the twin spacecraft, Blue and Gold, will initially fly together in a shared orbit. Subsequently, they will move into separate orbits, allowing scientists to capture a more comprehensive picture of how Mars’ atmosphere responds to space weather – the constant flow of charged particles from the sun. This coordinated observation strategy is key to understanding the causes and effects of these changes, as explained by Robert Lillis, the mission’s principal investigator at UC Berkeley. Beyond the scientific endeavor, the spacecraft are distinguished by distinctive elements: alongside the iconic kiwi-shaped plates, Rocket Lab has placed two additional name plates on each spacecraft, recognizing the team members who made the mission possible. These plates, mounted on the solar panels, also incorporate the Latin initials of Rocket Lab’s motto and serve as the company’s logo, each listing over 200 names – including the founders and leaders of Rocket Lab. To further highlight the mission’s partnerships, the spacecraft feature a range of colorful patches, including a main mission logo depicting Blue and Gold orbiting Mars, alongside the names of key partners: the University of California, Berkeley-Space Science Laboratory, Rocket Lab, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Advanced Space, and NASA Goddard Space Flight Center. Rocket Lab has also created an insignia showcasing the spacecraft’s trajectory and incorporating the company’s branding. Finally, a patch designed by Blue Origin’s New Glenn-2 launch vehicle uses orange hues to represent Mars, completing the visual identity of the ESCAPADE mission.