Rocket Lab USA(US:RKLB) Globenewswireยท2025-11-14 04:57Core Insights - Rocket Lab Corporation successfully launched its Explorer-class spacecraft for NASA and UC Berkeley to study Mars' magnetosphere, marking a significant achievement in commercial interplanetary science [1][4] - The spacecraft, part of the ESCAPADE mission, was launched on November 13, 2025, from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station [1] - The mission aims to provide insights into Mars' atmospheric escape history and space weather environment, which will inform future human exploration strategies [7] Company Overview - Rocket Lab is a leading launch and space systems company, known for its vertically integrated supply chain that allows in-house production of critical components [3] - The company has enabled over 1,700 missions across various sectors, including commercial, defense, and national security [8] - Rocket Lab's Electron rocket is recognized as the world's most frequently launched orbital small rocket [8] Mission Details - The ESCAPADE mission transitioned from design to spacecraft completion in just three and a half years, showcasing an aggressive timeline for a Mars mission [3] - The spacecraft will undergo commissioning processes, including orientation stabilization and solar array deployment, before executing trajectory correction maneuvers to reach Mars [2][6] - The spacecraft are scheduled to arrive at Mars in September 2027, with the first science formation expected to begin in 2028 [6] Technical Aspects - The ESCAPADE spacecraft will utilize a "loiter" orbit around Earth's Lagrange point 2 until the next planetary alignment in fall 2026, when it will use an Earth gravity assist to begin its journey to Mars [5] - The mission will involve deep-space maneuvers to boost the spacecraft's energy and navigate to their target orbit insertion corridors [6]