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Space Systems Command Continues New Glenn’s Certification Process for National Security Space Launches

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  • By SSC Public Affairs
Summary: The Blue Origin New Glenn launch was part of the certification process which included collecting analytical data to ensure the launch system is ready to deliver exquisite USSF satellites supporting critical U.S. warfighters and Intelligence Community needs.

CAPE CANAVERAL SPACE FORCE STATION, Fla. – Space Systems Command (SSC) continues its process of certifying New Glenn for National Security Space Launches after the successful NG-2 launch today at 3:55 p.m. EST from Space Launch Complex (SLC)-36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Assured Access to Space (AATS) Certification Team from System Delta 80 (SYD 80) was on site to observe the second flight of Blue Origin’s New Glenn.

New Glenn’s certification continues with the NG-2 mission as part of Blue Origin’s agreement with the NSSL program. The SYD 80 team manages the NSSL program in partnership with the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), who share responsibilities for delivering launch services for the War Department and other government agencies.

“The Space Force congratulates Blue Origin on its launch of NG-2, a monumental step towards New Glenn delivering our most critical warfighting capabilities to orbit,” said Lt. Col. Brian Scheller, SSC’s system program manager and chief engineer for SYD 80.

Commercial launch partners like Blue Origin must be certified prior to carrying national security payloads into space. The formal certification process with Blue Origin began with approval of their New Entrant Certification plan in 2022. The New Entrant Certification Guide allows Launch Service Providers to select between four options as paths for certification. Each option has a different number of flight requirements (2, 3, 6, or 14 flights) and corresponding government engineering insight. The fewer the number of flights flown, the more government insight into the rocket design and qualification testing the government will require.

Certification Flights are a small subset of the certification process and provide valuable analytical data to ensure each LSP’s launch system is ready to deliver our most exquisite USSF satellites supporting critical U.S. warfighters and Intelligence Community needs. Serving as a vital force multiplier, commercial partnerships allow USSF and Space Systems Command to leverage and foster an incredibly strong industrial base, significantly enhancing our competitive edge in the space domain. This partnerships strategy adds capacity, elevates capabilities, and fortifies the resilience of combined force space architecture to ensures the U.S. remains at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry.

SYD 80 executes the USSF’s core function of Space Access, performing space lift and range control missions in close partnership with the 30th and 45th Space Launch Deltas, delivering servicing, mobility, and logistics capabilities that operate in, from, and to the space domain. Additionally, the Delta develops resilient and ready launch and test infrastructure to expand U.S. economic, technological, and scientific leadership.

Space Systems Command is the U.S. Space Force field command responsible for acquiring, developing, and delivering resilient capabilities to outpace emerging threats and protect our Nation’s strategic advantage in, from, and to space. SSC manages a $15.6 billion annual space acquisition budget for the Department of War, working with joint forces, industry partners, government agencies, academia, and allied nations.

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