# The U.S. Space Force awarded Blue Origin a national security space mission for the National Reconnaissance Office.

*aerospace · news · 2026-06-02 · AL.com*

## Key points

- Blue Origin was awarded a national security space mission for the NRO by the U.S. Space Force.
- Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral the same night.
- Despite the explosion, the Space Force and NRO affirmed continued partnership with Blue Origin.
- The awarded mission is scheduled for late 2027 or early 2028, per official statement.

The U.S. Space Force awarded Blue Origin a national security space mission for the National Reconnaissance Office, or NRO. Later that night, however, the space company’s New Glenn rocket exploded on the launch pad at Cape Canaveral Space Force Base off the coast of Florida. But, in a statement on the award the next day, the Space Force and NRO said they remain committed partners with Blue Origin. Col. Eric Zarybnisky, who is in charge of Space Force’s Space Access program, said the explosion shows the challenge of rocket science. “I am first and foremost grateful that all personnel are safe in the aftermath of the New Glenn rocket anomaly on Thursday evening,” he added. “The National Security Space Launch program will continue working closely with our Blue Origin partners to help identify the root cause and implement corrective actions.” The new mission order is expected to be carried out either in the fourth quarter of 2027 or the first quarter of 2028, according to the statement.

**Companies:** Blue Origin
**Countries:** United States

[Read the full story on AL.com](https://www.al.com/news/2026/06/space-force-announces-national-security-mission-for-blue-origin-after-rocket-explosion.html)

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