Robert Sanders

In this NASA visualization, the Blue and Gold satellites of the ESCAPADE mission are visible at left at the tail end of Earth's long, drawn-out magnetic field, caused by interactions with the solar wind. The satellites entered the magnetotail on March 4, the first time any satellite has explored this region. (Visualization credit: NASA Scientific Visualization Studio)

ESCAPADE spacecraft are now flying through Earth’s magnetotail

With their instruments now fired up and recording data, the twin ESCAPADE satellites are undertaking a test run before they head to Mars later this year. On Wednesday, Mar. 4, they will plow through a never-explored area around Earth: its distant magnetotail.

Robert Sanders March 6, 2026

New Glenn 2 launch 27 seconds after liftoff. (Credit: Blue Origin)

NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars — twin UC Berkeley satellites dubbed Blue and Gold — launched today

After two launch delays because of weather and a solar storm, New Glenn launched from Cape Canaveral at 3:55 p.m. EST Thursday, Nov. 13. The twin satellites successfully separated from the rocket about 33 minutes after launch.

Robert Sanders November 13, 2025

Planetary scientist Lindy Elkins-Tanton to head Space Sciences Laboratory

Lindy Elkins-Tanton, a geologist and planetary scientist, will be the new director of UC Berkeley’s Space Sciences Laboratory, effective July 1. She currently leads the NASA Psyche mission to explore an asteroid called Psyche.

Robert Sanders May 6, 2025

NEWS

ESCAPADE spacecraft are now flying through Earth’s magnetotail

NASA’s ESCAPADE mission to Mars — twin UC Berkeley satellites dubbed Blue and Gold — launched today

Planetary scientist Lindy Elkins-Tanton to head Space Sciences Laboratory

Space Sciences Laboratory
at the University of California, Berkeley

SSL is not open to the public. Please contact our administrative team at spacesciencesadmins@ssl.berkeley.edu should you need access to our lab.