Space Force awards Blue Origin national security launch task order day after New Glenn rocket explosion
By
Sandra Erwin
A five-star bake. Worth schmearing, sharing, saving.
Summary
The U.S. Space Force awarded Blue Origin a national security launch task order under the NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program for an NRO mission, just hours after a New Glenn rocket anomaly occurred during a launchpad test at Cape Canaveral. The explosion, which involved the rocket's upper stage, caused significant damage but no injuries. Despite the setback, the Space Force reaffirmed its commitment to Blue Origin and New Glenn, emphasizing the importance of having multiple launch providers for assured access to space. The task order was already in process before the anomaly, and the Space Force noted it will evaluate the incident's impact on future schedules.
Key quotes
· 3 pulledThe Space Force said it 'remains committed to ensuring assured access to space through a diverse and resilient industrial base, including Blue Origin's New Glenn launch system.'
'We are aware of the anomaly that occurred during Blue Origin's launch rehearsal,' the Space Force said in a statement.
'The task order was already in the process of being awarded prior to the anomaly,' the Space Force noted.
You might also wanna read
Blue Origin Successfully Lands New Glenn Rocket Booster and Launches NASA Spacecraft
Blue Origin successfully landed the booster of its New Glenn mega-rocket on a drone ship in the Atlantic Ocean on its second attempt, becomi
techcrunch.com·6mo ago
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket achieves first booster reflight but suffers upper stage failure
Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket successfully completed its first booster reflight on its third launch, marking a significant milestone in reu
arstechnica.com·1mo ago
Blue Origin Announces New Glenn Rocket Upgrades for Enhanced Performance and Reliability
Blue Origin announced significant upgrades to its New Glenn rocket system, including enhanced engines and subcooled components to improve pa
blueorigin.com·6mo ago
Blue Origin's New Glenn blows up during static fire test
twitter.com·3d ago
Former ULA CEO Tory Bruno Joins Blue Origin to Lead National Security Group
Former United Launch Alliance (ULA) President and CEO Tory Bruno has joined Blue Origin as president of the company's newly formed National