Blue Origin lands national-security launch order as New Glenn investigation unfolds
TL;DR
The U.S. Space Force awarded Blue Origin a National Reconnaissance Office launch task order under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program for a single launch (NRO Task Order-4) planned for late 2027 to early 2028 from Cape Canaveral, hours after a New Glenn pad explosion. The award signals a push to diversify national-security launch providers while Blue Origin investigates the anomaly and prepares a rebuild; Space Force and NRO reaffirm their partnership and will work with Blue Origin on root-cause actions.
- Blue Origin gets national security launch task order hours before New Glenn explosion SpaceNews
- Massive Blue Origin rocket explosion gives edge to Elon Musk in space race The Washington Post
- Cocoa Beach businesses react to Blue Origin explosion Spectrum News 13
- Blue Origin Rocket Blows Up on Florida Launchpad During Test The New York Times
- Blue Origin regains access to Florida launchpad where rocket exploded, CEO says WESH
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