NASA's ESCAPADE mission has taken its first photo, and it's good news

Mars is a planet that fascinates many scientists, notably regarding the presence of life elsewhere in the solar system. Many probes are sent there to study it, and this is the case with the ESCAPADE probes, which were launched on November 13 by the New Glenn rocket from Blue Origin. And although their journey will last several more years, a first photo was taken, which is a good thing for the future of this mission.

On November 21, one of the two probes used the cameras of the Visible and Infrared Observation System (VISIONS) to take a “selfie.” In this impressive image, we can see two photos taken eight days after the launch, showing a solar panel and space, which is completely black, in the background. 

But that's not all, because it also shows that the devices are operational and will be able to fulfill their missions. As a reminder, while the MAVEN and Mars Express missions have provided a better understanding of Mars, these two probes should fill some gaps. Indeed, they will study the effects of the solar wind on the environment of this planet but also better understand its atmosphere.

However, scientists will have to wait a few more years before seeing the first results, as the two probes must first travel to Lagrange Point 2, located about a million miles from Earth. Then, in November 2026, they will head towards Earth in order to use its attraction to join Mars. Finally, at the end of the year 2027, they will have to adjust their orbit and start their mission from the middle of the year 2028.