Mars-Bound Probes Carry Kiwi Surprise in Historic Spaceflight

The twin probes of the ESCAPADE mission, designed and built by Rocket Lab, have successfully launched towards Mars, carrying an Easter egg in the form of the first kiwis to fly to the red planet. The mission, led by the Space Sciences Laboratory at the University of California, Berkeley, aims to study the effects of space weather on Mars' hybrid magnetosphere and the loss of its atmosphere. According to Lindsay McLaurin, senior communications manager for space systems at Rocket Lab, the inclusion of the kiwis is a nod to the company's New Zealand heritage. "Rocket Lab has a tradition of hiding kiwis in many areas of its design," McLaurin said. "We're proud to be the first Mars-bound vehicles to be designed, built, and tested by Rocket Lab, and we're excited to share this unique aspect of our culture with the world." The ESCAPADE mission is the first multi-spacecraft science mission to launch to Mars, and it will take approximately 22 months to reach the red planet. Once in Martian orbit, the identical satellites, named Blue and Gold, will enter a real-time study of the planet's hybrid magnetosphere and its interaction with space weather. This research is expected to provide valuable insights into the loss of Mars' once-dense atmosphere. The mission has significant global implications, as it aims to understand the complex interactions between a planet's magnetic field and the solar wind. This knowledge can be applied to other planets and celestial bodies in our solar system, providing valuable insights for future space exploration. The inclusion of the kiwis on the ESCAPADE mission is a testament to Rocket Lab's commitment to its New Zealand heritage and its desire to share its unique culture with the world. As McLaurin noted, "We're proud to be a part of this mission and to be contributing to the advancement of space science." The ESCAPADE mission is currently on its way to Mars, with the twin probes expected to enter Martian orbit in the summer of 2026. Once in orbit, the satellites will begin their real-time study of the planet's hybrid magnetosphere, providing valuable insights into the complex interactions between a planet's magnetic field and the solar wind.