NASA's Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers
(ESCAPADE)

Program Overview

• Mission: ESCAPADE is NASA’s twin-spacecraft mission to study Mars' magnetosphere and atmospheric processes. Rocket Lab designed and built twin spacecraft, Blue and Gold, for this mission
• Launch: ESCAPADE was scheduled to launch on October 2024 aboard Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station but has been delayed by NASA to Fall 2025
• Scientific Objectives: The mission will investigate Mars' magnetosphere, examine energy and momentum transport from the solar wind, and study atmospheric escape processes affecting Mars' climate change

Experience from 2023-2024

Analysis & Testing

• Led efforts to resolve a critical solar array deployment issue on the qualification unit through comprehensive mechanical testing and analysis correlation
• Diagnosed the root cause of the deployment issue as a structural failure in the damper hinge. Completed a quick hand calculation into a redesigned component breakout analysis within one day to expedite the replacement part BOM
• Performed solar array dynamic deployment analysis using Simcenter 3D Motion to optimize Z-fold deployment by adjusting the damper rate based on an assumed spring constant and design mass. Correlated the analysis to the qualification test unit to show a near identical deployment

Reporting

• Successfully mitigated schedule delays by implementing quick-hand calcs and analysis driving timely solutions

Achievements

• Adapted quickly to Simcenter 3D Motion and resolved critical solar array deployment testing challenges, preventing schedule slips under tight deadlines