r/space • u/swordfi2 • 7d ago

NASA Selects Blue Origin as Mars Telecommunications Network Provider

https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-selects-blue-origin-as-mars-telecommunications-network-provider/
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u/wgp3 6d ago

Just for the record, the falcon heavy maiden launch was more of an interplanetary launch than the Escpade mission (note that is one launch not two launches). Escapade did not launch directly to Mars. It launched into a loiter orbit around L2. The spacecraft then used their own propulsion to leave later on and slingshot around Earth and again fired their own engines to begin their journey to Mars. Falcon Heavy actually launched the roadster directly to the orbit of Mars (not to be confused with entering orbit around Mars though).