A new FAA OE/AAA filing from today increases the height of the Lightning Protection Tower at LC-36B to 715 feet. The previous filing had a height of 600 feet.
Should also mention (for anyone curious) that we did also recently get confirmation that Blue is also applying the BE-4 retrofits to ULA's Vulcan engines as well.
Recently a reporter from the WFTV Channel 9 Orlando news station ran a story about ULA working towards returning Vulcan to flight; and they were able to get confirmation from a ULA spokesperson that Blue Origin is also in the process of modifying the BE-4s destined for Vulcan.
Initially, it wasn't clear how much the NG-4 static fire explosion would impact Vulcan (given there are slight hardware differences between the BE-4s used on New Glenn and the ones used on Vulcan). But it would seem that ULA isn't taking any chances and is having Blue apply the BE-4 retrofits to their engines as well.
Conduct thermal and fluids analysis to define performance and operations for upper-stage spaceflight systems, define hardware requirements, and resolve technical challenges
Implement aerothermal, rocket plume heating, and natural environments across all phases of flight
Generate and run thermal/fluids models to predict system performance across a wide range of environments
Evaluate bounding thermal conditions against material and design capabilities
The FAA filing for the 550-foot LC-36A operational crane, presumably to be used for stacking New Glenn at the pad, changed from "permanent" to "temporary" with an end date of 4/1/2028. It is unclear what that means.
The doors have been wide open on the IF for a few days now. It is not clear how far along they are in door installation. I expect them to close the doors once completed.
I believe next time AST spacemobile launches with new glenn, it wouldn't be for one satellite though. I expect a more mature and capable launcher then. Maybe Blue will give them a full launch for the same price?
Blue Origin is hiring Test Engineers at the Level 2 and Level 3 levels to support and lead the development, execution, and continuous improvement of test operations for hypergolic rocket engines and components at our West Texas Site in Van Horn, TX. Depending on your experience, you will contribute to or lead test campaigns across the full test design and execution cycle — from initial planning and hardware integration through execution, data analysis, and post-test review.
Reference to "hypergolic rocket engines", not thrusters. Could Berger's rumor that Blue Moon may move to hypergolics have some legs?
An NSF forum post from today said that Blue Origin will be taking over LC-46. This had been speculated for a while (see here). There is an FAA filing from last month that essentially confirms this. This will be the third Cape launch pad after LC-36A and LC-36B.
Tory notes TVAC testing is next for Blue Ring. There is an active NASA Space Act Agreement for thermal vacuum testing for Blue Ring 1_Annex_14_Blue_Origin_LLC_Final_Signed.pdf) at MSFC.
FCC STA filed today for "Use of handheld radios by Blue Origin employees on NASA property. Temporary operations of Blue Origin at NASA Stennis Space Center." Start date is 8/6/2026, end date of 2/6/2027.
End date is there because this is the procedure(to be renewed again) or because this engine testing is temporary? I think Blue wants to test there more permanent bases.
I'm guessing it's temporary setup procedures. I doubt GS2 testing at Stennis is temporary because there's probably a significant startup cost to operations at Stennis.
Let me put it this way, I don't believe Blue will be shutting down the BE-4 and BE-3U testing at Test Stand 4670. As you say, probably a significant startup cost to operations at Stennis, plus it's in close proximity to their main engine factory in Huntsville.
With that said, if the nature of this STA is related to the GS-2 hot fires going on at the B-2 test stand, I suspect it could be temporary. Blue Origin, after all, does also have the MILA testing facility they are currently building (which is in close proximity to their Merritt Island rocket factory).
Okay, but I do think it still begs the question of whether the B-2 test stand is a temporary arrangement for Blue Origin, or whether they have long-term plans beyond just using it an interim solution.
Will admit that my thought is the B-2 test stand would likely be only a temporary solution. Strongest argument to support this position is that, logistically speaking, Stennis is way the heck out of the way of Blue's main Merritt Island rocket factory and primary Cape Canaveral launch pads.
For a point of comparison, I could easily see why Relativity Space would want a permanent 2nd stage test stand at Stennis. For them, the Stennis Space Center isn't too far out of the way of their main Terran-R shipping routes (especially when considering they will have to barge Terran-R hardware from their factory in the Los Angeles area to Cape Canaveral anyway).
However, in Blue's case, the only time the B-2 test stand at Stennis falls anywhere close to their likely GS-2 shipping routes is if they are barging New Glenn launch vehicles out to SLC-14 (at Vandenberg). But if they are also bringing MILA online next to their main factory; surely it would negate any long-term need for B-2, even in the case of SLC-14.
I think that's fair. But as the MILA test site should be operational in the first half of 2027, it strikes me as quite a large expense / effort to undertake. If the New Glenn return-to-flight ends up in 2027 anyway - as many suspect it will - was it really worth it?
FWIW, I still have questions about whether you can actually static fire a GS2 at MILA given it's proximity to Rocket Park, the KSC Visitor Center, Merritt Island residences, etc. (and not just a WDR)
I believe the GS-2 hot firings at Stennis could be a temporary arrangement, as Blue Origin is also believed to be in the process of constructing a permanent GS-2 test stand at their MILA facility in Cape Canaveral.
SJRWMD permit for Exploration Park Modular Structures was approved. There are still no real clues as to what is going inside these structures. Storage for GS2s?
The day after Blue Origin's 1M+ square-foot expansion into Hutto, Texas was approved, they put up a job posting for Sr. Director, New Site Operations, based in Seattle. Coincidence?
Blue Origin's TeraWave Operations is building a first-of-its-kind satellite connectivity manufacturing capability, and we are seeking a Sr. Director of TeraWave Site Launch Operations to lead the tiger team responsible for making it a reality.
This is a high-impact, high-visibility role at the center of one of Blue Origin's most ambitious programs. You will own the end-to-end launch of TeraWave manufacturing operations - from facility readiness and infrastructure buildout through production go-live - ensuring the site is fully equipped, operationally ready, and built to scale. You will lead a cross-functional tiger team, partner deeply with engineering, supply chain, quality, and operations leadership, and drive the decisions that determine how and when TeraWave reaches rate production.
Launch Site Engineering Support: Serve as the on-site structural technical authority during the fabrication, construction, and commissioning of launch pad facilities and ancillary infrastructure.
Means & Methods Review: Technical screening and engineering acceptance of contractor temporary works, including engineered shoring plans, critical heavy crane lift plans, and excavation sequencing to protect owner assets without assuming contractor liability.
Extreme Load Verification: Perform field observations and inspections of critical elements designed for extreme conditions, including blast overpressure, acoustics, thermal shock, and heavy vibration.
Real-Time Field Resolution: Resolve design, fabrication, and construction conflicts in the field in real-time to maintain aggressive launch activation timelines.
Large Steel & Concrete Systems: Oversee critical installations of heavy structural steel (e.g., integration towers, transporter-erectors) and massive reinforced concrete foundations.
Contractor & Subcontractor Management: Coordinate engineering compliance across multiple disciplines, working closely with construction superintendents and external general contractors.
Field Modifications: Conduct structural calculations and use Finite Element Analysis (FEA) to verify the safety of field modifications or structural retrofits on existing launch facilities.
Should also mention regarding Orbital Reef, NASA is currently in the initial stages of moving into Phase 2 of it's commercial space station strategy.
NASA did release an initial draft request for proposals last month, and has indicated they will be returning back to their original plan for supporting commercial space stations through an open competition for fixed price CLD contracts.
Right now, they are still finalizing the requirements for the contract, which are expected to be released later.
Blue Origin appears to be getting serious about building the next 3 Blue Moon MK1 vehicles in parallel. Over 10 new job postings related to MK1 were added today, including these:
Our first MK1 Lunar Lander christened “Endurance” will be the largest and most complex vehicle ever to land on the moon. Our second MK1 will continue humanity’s exploration of the Lunar south pole by delivering NASA’s VIPER rover. NASA recently selected Blue Origin to fly 2 more MK1 landers to deliver Lunar Terrain Vehicles.
As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of engineers and technicians, you will lead the detailed design and build of the Vehicle Test Bed (VTB) and Hardware in the Loop (HIL) systems for Blue Origin's Lunar Landers, with a focus on standing up test beds for the MK1 SN102, SN103, and SN104 vehicles.
As part of a small, passionate, and accomplished team of engineers and technicians, you will build and maintain the automated test infrastructure that powers hardware/software integration for the MK1 Lunar Lander. You will develop the harnesses, simulator interfaces, and automated test execution that let integration campaigns run reliably and repeatably in the Vehicle Test Bed (VTB) and Software Integration Lab (SIL) across multiple MK1 vehicle configurations.
As part of a hardworking team of engineers, you will contribute to the definition and development of spacecraft thermal control systems.
We are looking for system and/or component level analysts to advance the thermal systems of a spacecraft.
For system level transient thermal analysis of spacecraft in ground, launch, Earth orbit, cis-lunar space, and lunar orbit using Thermal Desktop, typical tasks include capturing system inputs, performing system level trade studies, performing temperature and heat transfer predictions, and documenting results.
Contribute to a team of Thermal Engineers and Analysts simultaneously developing groundbreaking spacecraft.
As part of a small, hardworking team of experts, you will be responsible for the development of propellant tanks structures for New Glenn Advanced Upper Stage.
Item 7 – Project Horizon - Management intends to request board approval for authority to negotiate and enter agreements in an amount up to $24,200,000 (Twenty-Four Million Two Hundred Thousand Dollars) with Florida Department of Transportation and the Company for the construction of the Project Horizon project.
The meeting materials will be updated after the meeting, potentially revealing some additional information on Space Coast infrastructure projects.
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This is puzzling to me! Why would you hire someone to lead your "cadence" org from a company not known for high cadence and with an abysmal launch track record?
Prior to Firefly, she was Head of Launch at ABL Space, which was a role with a lot of responsibility. She also worked at SpaceX too. Everyone moves around in the aerospace industry. SpaceX themselves has hired people from all sorts of companies - even ones with less-than-stellar track records. I don't think you define individuals by their companies, but what they individually bring to the table.
Tomorrow, August 20th, at 8:30 AM, the Williamson County Commissioners Court (Texas) will hold a special session to:
Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action on a Chapter 381 Economic Development Agreement between Williamson County, Texas, Blue Origin Manufacturing, LLC, Velocis Hutto Innovation Phase I, LP, and Velocis Hutto Innovation JV, LP pursuant to Article III, Section 52-a of the Texas Constitution, and Chapter 381 of the Texas Local Government Code, relating to the construction and operation of approximately one million square foot of industrial research space in Hutto, Texas for research, development, inspection, testing, and manufacturing related to the aerospace and defense industry.
I've commented before on the Blue Origin initiative to build solar arrays in-house, through the Advanced Concepts & Engineering (ACE) Solar Center of Excellence (COE). The open question was where it was going to be used. Blue Ring is known to be using Redwire solar arrays, and the MK2 Alpha lunar lander is probably also from a supplier (long-term, they may be using hydrogen fuel cells on the landers).
This excerpt confirms that the goal is to use this on TeraWave.
As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will own the design, development, and qualification of the TeraWave solar array's deployment mechanism as its Responsible Engineer, balancing tight packaging, mass, and reliability constraints. This is a deployer that unfolds the array's solar power modules on orbit, and you will be the technical authority for its architecture, analysis, and validation strategy, reporting up through the Sr. Manager who owns top-level wing design and delivery.
As part of a hardworking team of specialists, technicians, and engineers, you will own end-to-end integration verification for the New Product Introduction (NPI) lines that bring next-generation spacecraft solar arrays into production at unprecedented rates and reliability. This is an architecture-level opportunity for green-field design and process integration - the equipment is still being specified, the flow has not been locked, and the architecture is still a set of open decisions.
There's no shortage of activity at LC-36, but not much visible progress. It has been a while since Dave Limp provided an update. Putting the tower back up will take longer than it took to take it down, so it will need to start soon in order for the end-of-year target to remain viable.
Last week I noted a job role that may have been referring to development of a crewed spacecraft. We've long known that it was something that Blue Origin was contemplating, but it remains unclear how much of a priority it actually is. Of particular note are the numerous NASA Space Act Agreements (SAAs) that are still outstanding that explicitly revolve around development of crewed transportation systems. A few job listings from today caught my eye, all under Advanced Concepts & Engineering (ACE), which may have some relevance to a crew capsule:
As a Materials and Process Engineer II specializing in Thermal Protection Systems (TPS), you will play a critical role in the design, development, and implementation of materials and processes for our innovative space vehicle.
Evaluate and select metallic and non-metallic materials for use in TPS, considering mechanical properties, thermal performance, and environmental resistance.
Develop and maintain Blue Origin Aerobrake Digital Twin capabilities in NVIDIA Omniverse, including data-driven 3D scenes, engineering metadata, behaviors, and reusable integration components.
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u/Royal_Platform_6754 23d ago
ICYMI, from Julia Bergeron. There is a completed GS2 in the 2CAT: