NASA and Blue Origin have reached an agreement to conduct hot fire testing for the New Glenn rocket's second stage at Mississippi's Stennis Space Center.
Key facts
- •The B-2 test stand at Stennis Space Center was originally constructed to test Saturn V rocket stages for the Apollo Program.
- •Blue Origin's New Glenn second stage utilizes two BE-3 engines fueled by liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen.
- •NASA and Blue Origin signed a reimbursable Space Act Agreement to facilitate the testing.
- •The partnership supports Artemis missions planned for 2027 and beyond.
- •Blue Origin is scheduled to launch a robotic mission this fall to the lunar South Pole's Shackleton Connecting Ridge.
NASA and Blue Origin announced an agreement on July 24, 2026, to conduct second stage hot fire testing for the New Glenn rocket at NASA’s Stennis Space Center near Bay St. Louis, Mississippi. The testing will take place on the B-2 test stand, a facility originally built in the 1960s for the Apollo Program. This partnership aims to advance rocket development for future Artemis missions to the Moon.
Testing and Technical Support
The testing, which is scheduled to begin this fall, will focus on the New Glenn rocket's second stage, powered by two BE-3 engines using liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen. Each engine is capable of generating 200,000 pounds of thrust in a vacuum. NASA will provide the necessary engineers, equipment, and building services to prepare the B-2 stand for these operations, while also sharing expertise and dedicated workspace with Blue Origin.
Strategic Goals for Artemis
This collaboration supports the national objective of landing American astronauts on the Moon and establishing a base near the lunar South Pole. The New Glenn rocket is intended to launch missions to the Moon, and Blue Origin is also tasked with a robotic mission this fall to deliver payloads to the Shackleton Connecting Ridge using its Blue Moon Mark 1 Endurance lander. These efforts are designed to prepare for future human missions to Mars and maintain American leadership in space.
Timeline
- 1960sThe B-2 test stand was built to test Saturn V rocket stages for the Apollo Program.
- April 2026NASA completed the Artemis II flight.
- May 2026NASA announced the first three Moon Base missions.
- July 24, 2026NASA and Blue Origin announced the agreement for New Glenn rocket testing.
- Fall 2026Testing of the New Glenn second stage is targeted to begin.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by NASA Breaking News.
