News by Levels · Level 2 · Student worksheet

Earth Flybys Send ESCAPADE Toward Mars

In this lesson: Explain the manoeuvre and its place in the journey.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

The twin ESCAPADE spacecraft have completed powered Earth flybys, NASA reported on November 9. Each manoeuvre combined Earth’s gravity with a sustained engine burn.

The successful flybys put the spacecraft on course for Mars. Arrival is targeted for September 2027, so the completed step is departure toward the planet, not arrival.

Source: NASA, 2026-11-09. https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/heliophysics/nasas-escapade-completes-powered-earth-flybys-now-en-route-to-mars/

Read and practise

1. What did each manoeuvre combine?

   1. Earth’s gravity and an engine burn
   2. Only gravity with no engine use
   3. A landing followed by a Mars launch

2. What is complete, according to the report?

   1. Arrival at Mars
   2. The September 2027 mission target
   3. The Earth flybys

Your turn

Explain how the flybys helped and why the journey is unfinished.

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/escapade-powered-earth-flybys-mars-november-2026/level-2/