"NASA is getting a heck of a deal from Blue Origin for launching the agency's ESCAPADE mission to Mars. Blue Origin is charging NASA about $20 million for the launch on the company's heavy-lift New Glenn rocket. A dedicated ride on any other rocket capable of the job would undoubtedly cost more. But there are tradeoffs. First, there's the question of risk. The New Glenn rocket is only making its second flight, and it hasn't been certified by NASA or the US Space Force."
"Second, the schedule for ESCAPADE's launch has been at the whim of Blue Origin, which has delayed the mission several times due to issues developing New Glenn. NASA's interplanetary missions typically have a fixed launch period, and the agency pays providers like SpaceX and United Launch Alliance a premium to ensure the launch happens when it needs to happen. New Glenn is ready, the satellites are ready, and Blue Origin has set a launch date for Sunday, November 9."
Ariane 6 delivered an environmental monitoring satellite to orbit with a successful ride. NASA contracted Blue Origin to launch the ESCAPADE mission to Mars on New Glenn for about $20 million, a lower price than alternatives. New Glenn faces tradeoffs: it is on only its second flight, lacks NASA and US Space Force certification, and caused schedule delays while under development. Blue Origin set a launch date of Sunday, November 9; the mission will depart outside the usual interplanetary window using a unique trajectory to reach Mars in 2027. The Canadian federal budget allocates CAD 182.6 million to establish sovereign space launch capability.
Read at Ars Technica
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