Blue Origin entered into a Launch Services Agreement (LSA) partnership with the Air Force to leverage its commercial, heavy-lift ‘New Glenn’ launch vehicle for national security space (NSS) missions, the Kent company announced Wednesday, Oct. 10.
Named after Astronaut John Glenn, ‘New Glenn’ is a single-configuration, operationally reusable launch vehicle – built right here in Kent – powered by seven BE-4 liquefied natural gas rocket engines, and it offers significant performance margin for all NSS missions.
The LSA partnership enables rapid buildout of NSS-unique ‘New Glenn’ infrastructure such as vertical payload integration capability and a launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base as well as completion of NSS certification activities.
“Blue Origin is proud to serve the NSS community and is committed to providing safe, reliable access to space for the nation.”
“Gradatim Ferociter!”
Here’s a video about the ‘New Glenn’:
https://youtu.be/BTEhohh6eYk
Honored to be selected by @usairforce through the LSA acquisition. With this, we will pursue a Vandenberg launch site and gain certification for national security missions. Thrilled to leverage our commercial heavy-lift #NewGlenn launch vehicle for these important missions. pic.twitter.com/35OMPkAjuO
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) October 10, 2018
Thank you to the @usairforce for your confidence in the @BlueOrigin team and our #NewGlenn rocket. We are proud to serve the national security space community and are committed to providing safe, reliable access to space for the nation. #GradatimFerociter pic.twitter.com/AeO3xXhnUi
— Jeff Bezos (@JeffBezos) October 10, 2018
