Space Force announces national security mission for Blue Origin after rocket explosion
Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp wrote on social media that the New Glenn rocket will launch again before the end of 2026.
Mason Reed 
The U.S. Space Force has officially awarded Blue Origin a national security mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The contract announcement, however, was quickly followed by a dramatic turn of events.
New Glenn rocket faces setback
On the same night the mission was awarded, the company’s New Glenn rocket suffered an explosion on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base off the coast of Florida. Despite the setback, 205focus.com reports that both the Space Force and the NRO are standing by their partnership with the aerospace firm.
Commitment to the mission
Col. Eric Zarybnisky, leader of the Space Force’s Space Access program, addressed the incident by emphasizing the inherent difficulties of the industry. "I am first and foremost grateful that all personnel are safe in the aftermath of the New Glenn rocket anomaly on Thursday evening," Zarybnisky said in a statement. He added that the National Security Space Launch program remains dedicated to working with Blue Origin to determine the root cause of the explosion and apply necessary corrective measures.
Looking ahead
The mission order is currently slated for the fourth quarter of 2027 or the first quarter of 2028. Following a review of the damage at the launch facility, Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp shared an update on social media on Tuesday, confirming that the company plans to launch the New Glenn rocket again before the end of 2026.
