Science & Tech · Space · 5 hrs ago
Blue Origin adds a third stage to its New Glenn rocket
Blue Origin has developed a third stage for its New Glenn rocket, which has flown three times so far.
The stage, called GS3, will use a BE-7 engine developed for the company’s Blue Moon spacecraft.
GS3 is designed to carry satellites to geostationary orbit and support heavy science and exploration missions to the Moon and beyond.
New Glenn currently has two stages, and its most recent flight put a communications satellite into the wrong orbit, resulting in the spacecraft being lost.
A government customer has booked a GS3 flight for 2028 to travel to the region around the Moon.
Blue Origin is also rebuilding New Glenn’s launch pad after an explosion during an engine test in May.
The rocket’s fourth flight is expected late this year, while the company continues work on the new stage.
Blue Origin announced a third stage, called GS3, for its New Glenn rocket on Nov. 5.
The company says GS3 will enable direct delivery of satellite constellations to geostationary orbit and support heavy-lift science and exploration missions.
GS3 will use one BE-7 engine, developed for Blue Origin’s Blue Moon spacecraft.
An unnamed government customer has booked a GS3 mission to cislunar space, targeted for launch in 2028.
Blue Origin also announced it is working on a new first-stage engine called Northstar.
- Who
- Blue Origin announced the new rocket stage and engine. An unnamed government customer booked a GS3 mission.
- What
- Blue Origin added the GS3 third stage to New Glenn and announced work on the Northstar first-stage engine.
- When
- Blue Origin announced the developments on Nov. 5, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Blue Origin says GS3 will expand New Glenn’s capabilities, including for satellite deployment and lunar and deep-space missions.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
New Glenn made its debut flight in the 7x2 configuration.
New Glenn launched for the second time.
New Glenn’s third flight deployed AST SpaceMobile’s BlueBird 7 satellite into the wrong orbit, and the spacecraft was lost.
New Glenn exploded on the pad during a routine engine test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Blue Origin announced the GS3 third stage and the Northstar engine.
A government customer’s GS3 mission to cislunar space is targeted for launch.
- GS3 engine
- One BE-7
- New Glenn flights
- Three, all in the 7x2 configuration
- GS3 mission
- Government customer; cislunar space; targeted for 2028
- Northstar
- New first-stage engine under development
- New Glenn standard height
- 322 feet (98 meters)
What people are saying
enhances New Glenn's capabilities
The third stage enables direct deployment of satellite constellations to GEO [geostationary orbit] and supports heavy-lift science and exploration missions to the moon and deep space.
By delivering significant payload mass directly to trans-lunar injection (TLI), GS3 enables faster transit times while preserving propellant for on-orbit operations.