Rocket Lab's Mars Probes Carry a Sweet Surprise from New Zealand

According to Lindsay McLaurin, senior communications manager for space systems at Rocket Lab, the kiwis are a playful tribute to the company's New Zealand heritage. "Rocket Lab has a tradition of hiding kiwis in many areas of its design," McLaurin said in a statement. "We're thrilled to see them make their way to Mars, and we hope they bring a little bit of New Zealand spirit to the red planet." The ESCAPADE probes, named Blue and Gold after the University of California, Berkeley's colors, are the first Mars-bound vehicles to be designed, built, and tested by Rocket Lab. The ESCAPADE mission is a significant milestone in the exploration of Mars, and it marks the first time that a multi-spacecraft science mission has been sent to the planet. The twin probes are expected to enter Martian orbit in 22 months, where they will begin studying the planet's atmosphere and magnetosphere in real-time. The mission is expected to provide valuable insights into the evolution of the Martian atmosphere and the role of space weather in shaping the planet's environment. The inclusion of the kiwis on the ESCAPADE mission has sparked interest among space enthusiasts and New Zealanders alike. "It's a fun and creative way to celebrate the partnership between Rocket Lab and NASA," said a spokesperson for the University of California, Berkeley. "We're excited to see the ESCAPADE mission make its way to Mars and look forward to the discoveries it will bring." The ESCAPADE mission is currently on its way to Mars, with the twin probes traveling through space at a speed of approximately 22,000 miles per hour. The mission is expected to provide a wealth of new information about the Martian atmosphere and magnetosphere, and it has the potential to shed new light on the planet's evolution and history. As the mission continues to make its way to Mars, scientists and space enthusiasts around the world are eagerly awaiting the discoveries that it will bring.