Thu Nov 13 05:14:36 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a summary and a news article based on the provided text:

Summary:

Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, carrying NASA’s EscaPADE mission to study space weather on Mars, is scheduled for launch on November 13, 2025, after two previous delays. The first delay was due to heavy cloud cover, and the second was caused by a severe geomagnetic storm triggered by coronal mass ejections from the sun. The geomagnetic storm, though severe, is expected to diminish on Thursday, making way for the launch. The EscaPADE mission aims to understand how solar particles have stripped Mars of its atmosphere. The recent solar activity also resulted in unusually widespread aurora displays, reaching as far south as Texas, Florida, and Alabama.

News Article:

Blue Origin’s New Glenn Rocket Set for Third Launch Attempt After Space Weather Delays

Cape Canaveral, FL – November 13, 2025 – Blue Origin is targeting a launch today, November 13, for its New Glenn rocket carrying NASA’s EscaPADE mission, following two previous postponements. The mission, designed to send two satellites to Mars to study the planet’s atmospheric loss due to space weather, was initially scheduled for Sunday, November 9, but was delayed due to heavy cloud cover.

A second launch attempt on Wednesday, November 12, was called off due to a severe geomagnetic storm watch. The storm, triggered by coronal mass ejections from the sun, reached a G-4 (“severe”) level, posing potential risks to spacecraft and satellite communications. This level of geomagnetic storm has been known to impact sensitive equipment in orbit. A 2022 SpaceX launch resulted in the loss of 40 satellites due to a geomagnetic storm.

According to the U.S. Space Weather Prediction Center, the geomagnetic activity is expected to diminish today, allowing for a 90-minute launch window opening at 2:57 PM EST (19:57 UTC).

“New Glenn is ready to launch,” Blue Origin stated on its website. “We are currently assessing opportunities to establish our next launch window. The live webcast starts here at T-20 minutes.”

The EscaPADE mission seeks to understand how solar particles have interacted with Mars’ magnetic field over time, contributing to the planet’s atmospheric stripping. Ironically, the events that led to the launch delays provide a vivid example of the phenomena the mission aims to study.

The recent surge in solar activity also resulted in spectacular aurora displays, visible across unusually large parts of the United States, including as far south as Texas, Florida, and Alabama.

This launch represents a significant milestone for Blue Origin, marking its first major science mission for NASA and the second launch of its New Glenn rocket.

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