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Blue Origin Wins National Security Launch Task Order

May 29, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

Blue Origin awarded national security launch task order.
Task order issued under NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program.
Launch scheduled for Q4 2027 or Q1 2028.
US Space Force and NRO reaffirm support for Blue Origin.

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Strategic Implications

This award may indicate the US Space Force's confidence in Blue Origin's capabilities despite the New Glenn explosion. The continued support from the US Space Force and NRO suggests a commitment to expanding the number of launch providers for national security missions, which could benefit the entire industry and may lead to increased competition in the launch market.

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What Happened

US Space Force Awards Contract Hours Before New Glenn Explosion

The US Space Force has awarded Blue Origin a task order to launch a mission for the National Reconnaissance Office, with the launch scheduled to take place between the fourth quarter of 2027 and the first quarter of 2028. The award was made under the National Security Space Launch Phase 3 Lane 1 program, and the US Space Force and NRO have reaffirmed their support for Blue Origin following a launchpad explosion of the New Glenn rocket. The Space Force and NRO will work with Blue Origin to identify the root cause of the anomaly and implement corrective actions, as reported by SpaceNews.

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