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NASA’s ESCAPADE Snaps Family Portrait of Earth, Moon
On July 3, 2026, a NASA ESCAPADE spacecraft captured visible and thermal infrared images of Earth and the Moon. These photos serve as a calibration check for cameras intended to study Mars.
Why it matters
Properly calibrating these instruments ensures the mission can accurately analyze Martian aurora and atmospheric loss once it arrives at the planet in 2027.
The details
- Thermal images show Earth's heat while the Moon remains much cooler.
- The spacecraft will use Earth's gravity to slingshot toward Mars in November 2026.
- Mission objectives include studying solar wind interactions with the Martian environment.
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Key connections
Rocket Lab owns ESCAPADE
Rocket Lab built the ESCAPADE spacecraft.
Northern Arizona University owns Visible and Infrared Observation System
Northern Arizona University provided the Visible and Infrared Observation System cameras.
Rob Lillis works at University of California, Berkeley
Rob Lillis is a researcher and principal investigator at UC Berkeley.
Rob Lillis leads ESCAPADE
Rob Lillis serves as the principal investigator for the ESCAPADE mission.
Space Sciences Laboratory is a member of University of California, Berkeley
Space Sciences Laboratory is part of UC Berkeley.
Space Sciences Laboratory leads ESCAPADE
Space Sciences Laboratory leads the ESCAPADE mission.
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Heliophysics Division funds ESCAPADE
NASA's Heliophysics Division funds the ESCAPADE mission.
Rocket Lab is a partner of NASA
Rocket Lab is a key mission partner for NASA's ESCAPADE mission.
Advanced Space is a partner of NASA
Advanced Space is a key mission partner for ESCAPADE.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a partner of NASA
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University is a key partner for ESCAPADE.
ESCAPADE uses Visible and Infrared Observation System
ESCAPADE used its Visible and Infrared Observation System cameras to capture images of Earth and the Moon.
ESCAPADE uses Thermal Infrared Imaging
ESCAPADE utilizes thermal infrared imaging to observe heat emissions.
ESCAPADE uses Visible Light Imaging
ESCAPADE utilizes visible light imaging to observe sunlit targets.
Heliophysics Division is a member of NASA
The Heliophysics Division is an organizational division within NASA.
Blue Origin is a partner of NASA
Blue Origin is developing crewed lunar landers as a commercial provider for NASA's Artemis program.
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