Blue Origin has successfully completed its second launch of the New Glenn heavy lifter, achieving a significant milestone by landing its reusable booster at sea. This accomplishment brings the company closer to receiving certification for the National Security Space Launch Program (NSSL), allowing it to begin launching critical national security payloads.
The Space Force initially awarded Blue Origin a contract in April 2023, permitting the company to compete for NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launch contracts, which cover the period from fiscal year 2025 to 2029. At that time, New Glenn had yet to finalize its second launch, a requirement for obtaining NSSL flight certification. NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches are particularly important, as they involve high-value payloads destined for challenging orbits. Typically, contracts for NSSL launches are secured two years in advance, meaning the awarded contracts will pertain to missions scheduled between FY27 and FY32.
Following its inaugural certification flight on January 16, 2025, Blue Origin had originally planned to conduct the second launch in the spring. With the successful flight on Thursday, which carried two spacecraft designed by Rocket Lab for NASA’s ESCAPADE Mars mission, the Space Force is now advancing to the final stages of its certification review process.
“Space Systems Command (SSC) continues its process of certifying New Glenn for National Security Space Launches after the successful NG-2 launch,” the Space Force stated in a press release. “Certification flights are a small subset of the certification process and provide valuable analytical data to ensure each launch systems provider’s launch system is ready to deliver our most exquisite USSF satellites supporting critical U.S. warfighters and Intelligence Community needs.”
A notable achievement in this launch was the successful recovery of New Glenn’s first stage booster aboard Blue Origin’s recovery ship, named Jacklyn, after owner Jeff Bezos‘s mother. This marks Blue Origin as only the second company to successfully land a booster of this size at sea, following the pioneering efforts of SpaceX, which has routinely recaptured its Falcon 9 rocket boosters.
During the launch broadcast and in its press release, Blue Origin emphasized the significance of this accomplishment, highlighting that no booster of this scale had successfully completed a landing on its second attempt. “Never before in history has a booster this large nailed the landing on the second try. This is just the beginning as we rapidly scale our flight cadence and continue delivering for our customers,” remarked Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp.
Under the current NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 award, the Space Force anticipates commissioning Blue Origin for approximately seven missions starting in FY26. In comparison, SpaceX is projected to conduct 28 missions, while United Launch Alliance is expected to complete 19.
As Blue Origin progresses through the certification process, the implications for national security and the future of space exploration remain significant. The successful launch and recovery of the New Glenn heavy lifter not only enhances the company’s credibility but also underscores the increasing importance of reliable launch systems in supporting national defense and scientific endeavors.
