News | Jul 24, 2026

Blue Origin and NASA Partner to Test New Glenn's Upper Stage at Historic Stennis Space Center

Blue Origin and NASA signed an agreement to use the historic Thad Cochran Test Stand "B-Test Complex" at NASA Stennis Space Center in Mississippi for New Glenn second stage hotfire testing. This facility provides an additional testbed for validating our upper stage performance before flight. The B-Test Complex is part of Blue Origin's comprehensive infrastructure expansion to add more test stands to hotfire our second stages to deconflict LC-36 launch operations.

Photo Credit: NASA/Danny Nowlin

The agreement brings New Glenn testing to the legendary B-Test Complex that powered America's journey to the Moon during Apollo and will help our return.

"We are proud to partner with NASA and build on our shared commitment to returning America to the Moon and our broader mission to build a road to space for the benefit of Earth," said Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp. "Stennis helped take Americans to the Moon, and through this partnership, it will take us back."

The addition of operations in Mississippi reflects Blue Origin's commitment to high-rate manufacturing, America's return to the Moon, and support for our customers across government and commercial sectors.

"Stennis continues to be a hub for the commercial space industry," said Senator Roger Wicker. "Mississippi warmly welcomes Blue Origin's return to the coast and to our legendary rocket testing facilities."

"Winning the new space race means moving faster and working alongside a strong commercial industry. Supporting Blue Origin at NASA's Stennis Space Center puts world-class American infrastructure to work advancing the capabilities needed to return astronauts to the Moon, establish a sustained lunar presence, and prepare for Mars. Partnerships like this strengthen our industrial base and help ensure the United States remains the world's leader in space," said NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman.

This agreement demonstrates NASA's commitment to public-private partnerships and enables collaboration between Blue Origin and NASA's experienced workforce.

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