Blue Origin Secures NASA Stennis Test Stand for New Glenn Upper Stages After May 28 Explosion
Updated
Updated · SpaceNews · Jul 27
Blue Origin Secures NASA Stennis Test Stand for New Glenn Upper Stages After May 28 Explosion
3 articles · Updated · SpaceNews · Jul 27
Summary
NASA and Blue Origin signed a reimbursable Space Act Agreement on July 24 giving the company access to Stennis Space Center’s B-2 stand for New Glenn second-stage testing.
The move shifts upper-stage hotfire work away from Cape Canaveral, where Blue Origin had tested at Launch Complex 36 before a May 28 New Glenn explosion forced rebuilding there.
NASA will provide engineers, equipment and other services to modify the B-2 stand, with Blue Origin paying the undisclosed cost and aiming to begin using it this fall.
Stennis gives Blue Origin added test capacity as New Glenn supports NASA’s Artemis plans by carrying Blue Moon lunar landers; the B-2 complex previously served Apollo, shuttle, Delta 4 and SLS programs.