Blue Origin Plans More Florida Launch Pads and 100+ Rocket Flights per Year

Blue Origin plans to significantly expand its launch and manufacturing facilities in Florida, with the long-term goal of flying more than 100 rockets per year from the state.

The company announced Friday that it will add two launch pads for its New Glenn rocket to the two already under construction at Cape Canaveral. Blue Origin is also investing in a new manufacturing facility capable of producing up to 150 upper stages for larger versions of the heavy-lift rocket.

Blue Origin also plans to acquire two additional amphibious ships. The company currently operates one ship, Jacklyn, to capture and return New Glenn’s reusable first stage after launch.

In addition, the company has completed a new customer integration facility built in collaboration with the U.S. Space Force. The facility includes four payload bays, allowing Blue Origin to prepare multiple missions simultaneously.

“These investments are focused on one goal: building the ability to support more missions, more reliably and more efficiently,” Ian Richardson, Blue Origin’s senior vice president of operations, said in an update on the company’s website. “Looking to the future, this infrastructure is designed to support multiple flights per week by the end of the decade.”

Blue Origin has invested $3 billion in Florida

Blue Origin has invested approximately $3 billion in Florida facilities and infrastructure to support the construction and launch of the New Glenn rocket. The company currently employs more than 5,000 people in the state and works with 500 Florida suppliers.

“Our manufacturing and operating footprint has more than doubled in recent years and now spans over 20 locations across Brevard and Orange counties,” Richardson wrote. “Blue Origin is the only company that builds, launches and refurbishes rockets on the Space Coast, and is the largest employer.”

Blue Origin expands its challenge to SpaceX

The expansion appears intended to position Blue Origin as a stronger competitor to SpaceX, the dominant launch provider on Florida’s Space Coast. SpaceX has launched hundreds of rockets into orbit from Florida over the years, while Blue Origin has launched into orbit twice.

With additional New Glenn launch pads, expanded upper-stage production and more recovery ships, Blue Origin is building the infrastructure needed to increase its launch cadence and support multiple missions each week by the end of the decade.