Monday, August 3, 2026

NASA to let Blue Origin test New Glenn stages at Stennis

Blue Origin

NASA announced on July 24 an annex to its Space Act Agreement with Blue Origin allowing the company to conduct New Glenn second-stage hot-fire testing on the B-2 stand at Stennis Space Center, the 1960s-era dual-position stand originally built to test Saturn V stages for Apollo. NASA will provide engineers, equipment and building services to prepare the stand for New Glenn's twin BE-3 upper-stage engines, with testing expected to begin this fall as Blue Origin works toward a self-imposed end-of-2026 return to flight following the May 28 New Glenn pad anomaly.