Blue Origin has taken a significant step towards achieving National Security Space Launch Program (NSSL) certification with the successful launch of its New Glenn heavy lifter on January 16, 2024. This mission marked the first successful landing of the reusable booster at sea, a critical milestone that positions the company to begin launching high-priority national security payloads.
The Space Force initially awarded Blue Origin a contract in April 2023, allowing the company to compete for NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launch contracts, which will be active from fiscal years 2025 to 2029. However, at that time, the New Glenn rocket had not completed the required second launch for flight certification. These NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 launches are particularly important as they carry valuable payloads that must reach difficult orbits.
Space Systems Command (SSC) typically contracts for NSSL launches two years in advance, meaning that any awarded contracts would cover missions scheduled for fiscal years 2027 through 2032. Following the successful flight carrying two spacecraft constructed by Rocket Lab for NASA’s ESCAPADE Mars mission, the Space Force is now in the final stages of its review process.
“Space Systems Command continues its process of certifying New Glenn for National Security Space Launches after the successful NG-2 launch,” stated the Space Force in a press release. The release further explained that certification flights are a vital part of the certification process, providing analytical data essential to ensure that launch systems are prepared to support critical U.S. military and intelligence operations.
Significance of the Successful Landing
Landing the New Glenn’s reusable first-stage booster on Blue Origin’s recovery ship, named Jacklyn after founder Jeff Bezos’s mother, is a notable achievement for the company. This makes Blue Origin only the second aerospace company to successfully land a booster of this size at sea. SpaceX, led by Elon Musk, has set the standard for reusable rocket technology, routinely recovering its Falcon 9 boosters after launch.
During the launch broadcast, Blue Origin emphasized the significance of achieving a successful landing after just one prior attempt during its inaugural flight in January. “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,” said Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp in a press release.
Under the current NSSL Phase 3 Lane 2 contract, the Space Force anticipates commissioning Blue Origin for approximately seven missions beginning in fiscal year 2026. By contrast, SpaceX is expected to conduct 28 missions, while United Launch Alliance is projected to perform 19.
This successful launch not only enhances Blue Origin’s positioning within the competitive landscape of national security launches but also illustrates the company’s commitment to advancing its technologies and capabilities in the aerospace sector. As the demand for reliable and reusable launch systems grows, Blue Origin’s recent achievements could have lasting implications for its future endeavors in both national security and commercial spaceflight.
