Related Coverage
New Glenn lands its booster in two tries. SpaceX took many more.
Orig: How Important Is Blue Origin's Second New Glenn Launch?
CSIS strategic analysis of NG-2's implications: Blue Origin is now the second entity globally to routinely recover orbital-class boosters. The success unlocks the path to NSSL certification, Blue Moon Mk1 launch in 2026, and Artemis HLS relevance. Key question: can Blue Origin scale cadence fast enough to compete with SpaceX's 165+ flights per year?
Only SpaceX could land orbital boosters. Then came Blue Origin.
Orig: Blue Origin's New Glenn rocket landed its booster on a barge at sea
Expert analysis of NG-2 booster recovery: the achievement establishes a second provider of partially reusable orbital launch, reducing launch market concentration. Compares Blue Origin's methodical approach to SpaceX's faster, more iterative development. Notes SpaceX is on pace for 165-170 launches in 2025 vs New Glenn's two.
Blue Origin just became the second company to ever land an orbital booster. It only took two tries.
Orig: New Glenn Launches NASA's ESCAPADE, Lands Fully Reusable Booster
Official Blue Origin press release on NG-2 full mission success: ESCAPADE twin spacecraft deployed to loiter orbit for Mars transit, and booster "Never Tell Me the Odds" landed on Jacklyn 375 miles offshore. CEO Dave Limp: "Never before in history has a booster this large nailed the landing on the second try." Sets up Blue Moon Mk1 lunar lander mission in 2026.
NG-2 full success: Blue Origin joins the booster-recovery club with just two flights.
Orig: Blue Origin launches ESCAPADE on New Glenn, successfully lands first stage booster
NSF technical coverage of NG-2: New Glenn's 7 BE-4 engines ignited nominally, payload deployed to designated MEO loiter orbit, and GS-1 booster executed a successful barge landing — only the second such feat in history after SpaceX's Falcon family. ESCAPADE spacecraft built on Rocket Lab Photon heritage; will begin Mars transit in fall 2026 when planets align.