Blue Origin and NASA were ready to launch the ESCAPADE mission to Mars, but the launch had to be postponed for an unusual reason – high solar activity. The launch is planned from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
However, in recent days, two powerful plasma emissions have occurred on the Sun at the same time. One of them catches up with the other, increasing the impact. Such emissions often cause geomagnetic storms that can damage satellites, navigation systems and power grids. That's why Blue Origin decided to delay the launch to “protect the mission's hardware.”
The storm unleashed brilliant auroras across the world, visible as far away as central Russia.
Blue Origin is currently waiting for solar activity to subside before resuming launch preparations.
