Science & Tech · Space · 2 hrs ago
Blue Origin plans new Florida pads to increase New Glenn launches
Blue Origin plans to build more launch pads in Florida to increase flights of its New Glenn rocket.
The new facilities would follow the design of existing pads at Cape Canaveral, but the company has not said where they will be built.
The expansion comes as Blue Origin rebuilds one existing pad after a May test fire explosion.
The company says the added infrastructure is intended to support multiple flights per week by the end of the decade.
The Federal Aviation Administration is seeking public comment on Blue Origin's request to raise the permitted annual launches from one existing pad from 12 to 50; comments close on October 30.
Blue Origin is also building facilities for rocket servicing and payload processing, and plans a $330 million factory expansion to support production of New Glenn upper stages.
Blue Origin plans to add launch pads in Florida to increase the flight rate of its New Glenn rockets.
The company said the infrastructure is intended to support multiple flights per week by the end of the decade.
The new pads would be modeled on facilities at Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Blue Origin also plans to add two landing vessels and is building facilities to service boosters and process payloads.
The announcement comes as the company rebuilds a launch pad damaged in a May test-fire explosion.
- Who
- Blue Origin.
- What
- The company plans new Florida launch pads and other infrastructure to increase New Glenn launches.
- When
- Announced on Oct. 16, 2026. Blue Origin aims to support multiple flights per week by the end of the decade.
- Where
- Florida’s Space Coast, including facilities near Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
- Why
- To build capacity for more missions and support a higher New Glenn flight rate.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
A test-fire explosion damaged Launch Complex 36A, which is being rebuilt.
Blue Origin announced plans for new Florida launch pads and other infrastructure.
A virtual public hearing is scheduled on the FAA review of Blue Origin’s request to increase permitted flights at LC-36A.
The public comment period on the FAA review is scheduled to close.
Blue Origin anticipates completing a 1.37-million-square-foot manufacturing facility.
- Launch Complex 36A
- Being rebuilt; serves the New Glenn 7×2 rocket.
- Launch Complex 36B
- Under construction to support the New Glenn 9×4 variant.
- FAA request
- Increase permitted LC-36A flights from 12 to 50.
- Manufacturing expansion
- $330 million investment at Blue Origin’s Rocket Park site.
- Planned facility capacity
- Up to 150 New Glenn 9×4 upper stages annually.
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What people are saying
These investments are centered on one goal: building the capacity to support more missions, more reliably, and more efficiently.
As we look ahead, this infrastructure is designed to support multiple flights per week by the end of the decade.