Blue Origin rocket launches and latest news

Blue Origin is a private spaceflight company based in Kent, Washington that is working to send tourists to space on its reusable suborbital rocket called New Shepard. The company was created in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, the founder and CEO of Amazon.com. 

In 2015, Blue Origin made history by successfully launching and landing a reusable rocket for the first time. The company is currently developing a lunar lander called Blue Moon that will make robotic cargo deliveries to the lunar surface, and it is partnering with SpaceX and Dynetics to develop a human-rated moon lander that will carry astronauts to the lunar surface in 2024 under NASA's Artemis Program.

See the latest Blue Origin images, videos and other space news here.

Latest about Blue Origin

Illustration of SpaceX's Starship docked with NASA's Orion capsule on the Artemis III mission.
NASA lays out plan for Artemis 3 moon-lander test flight — but when will it launch?

By Mike Wall Published

NASA just gave us our best look yet at its Artemis III moon-lander test flight, which is scheduled to launch to Earth orbit next year. But a firm liftoff date has not yet been announced.

12 Comments
Artemis
A composite image of Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander (left) and SpaceX’s Starship lander (right) on the lunar surface.
When will SpaceX and Blue Origin fly to the moon? NASA reveals lunar lander timelines (and an Artemis III update)

By Josh Dinner Published

NASA has updated the timeline for its Artemis III mission and mapped out the expected progress for SpaceX and Blue Origin's respective moon landers.

17 Comments
Artemis
Artist's illustration of Blue Origin's robotic Blue Moon Mark 1 lander on the moon.
Jeff Bezos is playing the long game with Blue Origin (op-ed)

By Daniel Biedermann Published

If Blue Origin goes public, it will have to meet the expectations of shareholders. Jeff Bezos may therefore want to establish a stronger business before committing to a listing.

11 Comments
Private Spaceflight
Artist's illustration of a debris-spawning event in Earth orbit that could cause or contribute to the Kessler Syndrome.
Could a $200K bond for satellites paid before launch prevent a space junk disaster in orbit? Here's why some scientists think so

By Tereza Pultarova Published

The space around Earth is turning into a junkyard. Researchers think a refundable deposit scheme could force satellite operators to clean up their act before a tipping point is reached.

25 Comments
Satellites
Illustration of a Blue Origin "Power Tower" deployed on the moon.
Blue Origin unveils huge 'Power Tower' to boost solar electricity on the moon (video)

By Julian Dossett Published

Blue Origin just unveiled its "Power Tower," which is designed to provide solar electricity for an upcoming base on the moon.

27 Comments
The moon
NASA astronaut and Expedition 68 Flight Engineer Frank Rubio is pictured inside the Cupola, the International Space Station's "window to the world," as the orbiting lab flew 263 miles above southeastern England on Oct. 1, 2022.
The future of spacecraft windows: 'We can't just live in a box'

By Leonard David Published

Windows are key to astronauts' comfort and mental health, but they pose risks to a spacecraft's structural integrity. Here's a look at how engineers make them work.

5 Comments
Human Spaceflight
Artist's illustration of the spacecraft that Rocket Lab proposed for NASA's $700 million Mars Telecommunications Network mission,
Rocket Lab protests NASA's decision to award Blue Origin $700 million Mars orbiter contract

By Mike Wall Published

Rocket Lab has filed a protest against NASA's decision to award Blue Origin a $700 million Mars orbiter contract, saying it's inconsistent with the eligibility rules laid out by Congress.

5 Comments
Missions
Still from a Blue Origin animation showing its Mars Telecommunications Network orbiter at the Red Planet.
Blue Origin wins $700 million contract to build NASA's next Mars orbiter

By Mike Wall Published

NASA has picked Blue Origin to build its next Mars telecommunications orbiter, awarding a $700 million contract to Jeff Bezos' spaceflight company.

16 Comments
Missions
Two rockets stand at neighboring launch towers.
Blue Origin adding second pad to Cape Canaveral launch complex amid rocket explosion repairs

By Josh Dinner Published

When life gives you lemons (exploding rocket), make lemonade (a second launch pad).

8 Comments
Launches & Spacecraft
a metallic dark-purple space plane sits inside a hangar
Virgin Galactic delays next commercial spaceflight to 2027

By Mike Wall Published

Virgin Galactic has pushed the resumption of its commercial flights back by a few months, to February 2027. The company hasn't been to space since June 2024.

8 Comments
Private Spaceflight
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