Blue Origin, the aerospace company founded by Jeff Bezos, has recently secured a contract with the U.S. Space Force for integration studies related to its New Glenn launch vehicle. This contract signifies a significant milestone for Blue Origin as it potentially paves the way for the company’s participation in the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 program, a multi-billion dollar procurement of launch services for national security satellites.
Under the agreement, Blue Origin has been awarded nearly $18 million for early integration studies that will assess launch vehicle trajectory and mission design, coupled launch loads, and integrated thermal environments. These studies will provide crucial information regarding the compatibility between launch vehicles and space vehicles for missions planned in fiscal years 2025 and 2026.
The National Security Space Launch Phase 3 program is divided into two lanes. Lane 1 focuses on lower-risk missions to lower orbits, while Lane 2 caters to demanding missions to higher orbits, requiring certified launch vehicles and full mission assurance. Blue Origin’s New Glenn heavy-lift rocket aims to challenge incumbents SpaceX and United Launch Alliance in Lane 2.
Bids for the NSSL Phase 3 program were submitted in December, and contracts for launch services are expected to be awarded later this year. These contracts will cover missions scheduled to be flown starting from late 2025 through 2029 or beyond.
To secure a Lane 2 contract, bidders must have a credible plan to obtain certification by October 1, 2026. Out of the 58 missions projected for Lane 2, seven have been set aside for a third provider. These include five GPS satellite launches to medium Earth orbit and two direct-to-geostationary orbit launches.
Blue Origin was initially awarded an integration study contract worth $935,000 on December 18. This was followed by a modification on January 23, granting an additional $17 million for studies to be completed by September 2025. The government will specifically evaluate the capabilities and readiness of New Glenn to meet the requirements of the seven missions set aside for a third provider in Lane 2. This assessment will include examining ground system compatibility, payload interfaces, and mission timelines.
While this contract does not guarantee that New Glenn will be certified on time to compete in NSSL Phase 3, it is a positive development for Blue Origin. It demonstrates the Space Force’s interest in the capabilities of New Glenn and highlights the potential for the company to become a certified NSSL provider.
The Space Force emphasized the need to start these early integration studies as soon as possible due to their potential impact on payload development. The payloads designated for New Glenn must be customized to launch on that vehicle. If New Glenn is not ready, these payloads would need to be modified and reassigned to SpaceX or United Launch Alliance.
Among the seven payloads set aside for New Glenn, two are expected to be awarded in fiscal years 2025 and 2026. Therefore, completing the early integration studies promptly is crucial to prevent any delays in the development of these space vehicles. Another mission, USSF-149, requires an additional study but may be performed concurrently with the early integration studies.
New Glenn, which is still under development, is a large reusable rocket that aligns with the demands of Lane 2 missions. However, becoming a certified NSSL provider is a challenging process that requires at least two successful orbital missions. Blue Origin has announced that New Glenn’s inaugural flight is projected to take place this year. The company recently achieved a significant milestone by mating the two stages of the rocket for the first time at its assembly facility in Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.
Blue Origin’s contract with the U.S. Space Force for integration studies related to New Glenn marks an important step forward for the company’s potential involvement in the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 program. As Blue Origin continues to develop its New Glenn launch vehicle, it will face the challenge of obtaining certification and successfully completing orbital missions. Nevertheless, with its promising capabilities and the Space Force’s interest in its potential, Blue Origin is positioning itself as a strong contender in the competitive field of space launch services.