Blue Origin Secures Launch Task Order Following New Glenn Incident

The U.S. Space Force announced on May 29 that it has granted Blue Origin a task order to launch a mission for the National Reconnaissance Office, reaffirming its support for the company’s New Glenn rocket shortly after a launchpad explosion. The task order, issued under the National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 program, is designed for national security missions with a higher acceptance of launch risk compared to more demanding military launches.

This mission, referred to as NRO Task Order-4, is scheduled for a single launch between late 2027 and early 2028, using facilities at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The task order was awarded just hours before the New Glenn vehicle exploded during a hot fire test at the same location.

In a statement, the Space Systems Command expressed its continued partnership with Blue Origin following the incident. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, who oversees the NSSL program, acknowledged the efforts of first responders to ensure public safety, emphasizing the inherent challenges of rocket science and the importance of collaboration to determine the cause of the anomaly.

David Limp, Blue Origin’s CEO, stated via social media that the company has regained partial access to Launch Complex 36 and is actively investigating the incident while preparing for recovery efforts. The NSSL award highlights the Pentagon's goal to broaden the range of launch providers for military and intelligence missions as demand for space access increases. Blue Origin became eligible for Lane 1 missions in June 2024, alongside other providers like SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. The value of the task order has not been disclosed.