NASA and Blue Origin Agree to New Glenn Second-Stage Hot Fire Testing at Stennis Space Center

NASA and Blue Origin announced on July 24, 2026 an agreement to conduct New Glenn second-stage hot fire testing on the B-2 test stand at NASA's Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, with testing targeted to begin in fall 2026. NASA said the arrangement directly supports Artemis, since New Glenn is the launch vehicle for Blue Origin's Blue Moon Mark 1 cargo lander and the Blue Moon Mk2 human landing system slated for Artemis V. Senator Roger Wicker (R-MS) welcomed the announcement, saying Stennis 'continues to be a hub for the commercial space industry.' The agreement comes as Blue Origin works to return New Glenn to flight following the May 28, 2026 static-fire explosion at Cape Canaveral's LC-36.