Monday, June 8, 2026
Space Force hands Blue Origin first national security launch task order
The U.S. Space Force awarded Blue Origin its first NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 task order on May 28, 2026 - hours before the New Glenn rocket exploded during a hotfire at Cape Canaveral's LC-36. Designated NRO Task Order-4, the award directs Blue Origin to launch a National Reconnaissance Office satellite from Cape Canaveral in the fourth quarter of 2027 or first quarter of 2028 under the lower-risk Lane 1 contracting track, which is reserved for missions that can accept greater launch risk than the military's most critical payloads. A May 29 Space Force press release confirmed the service remains a 'committed partner' with Blue Origin and that the ground-test explosion does not trigger automatic disqualification under Phase 3 program rules.
/ Sources
/ Related
- Blue Origin raises $10B at $130B valuation in first outside roundThursday, July 9, 2026
- Blue Origin details crane-based plan to fly New Glenn againSaturday, July 4, 2026
- Blue Origin begins rebuilding New Glenn launch padSaturday, June 27, 2026
- NASA names Artemis III crew to test SpaceX and Blue Origin landersThursday, June 11, 2026