Blue Origin is expanding the configuration of its New Glenn launch vehicle, introducing a third stage designed to enhance the rocket’s reach into deep space and geostationary orbit. The company confirmed on November 5 that it has developed the GS3 stage, a new component intended to provide greater flexibility for satellite deployment and lunar exploration missions, Space reported.
This addition changes the rocket from the two-stage vehicle it has been since its January 2025 debut. While the standard “7×2” configuration—featuring seven BE-4 engines on the first stage and two BE-3U engines on the second—remains the baseline, the GS3 stage will be powered by a single BE-7 engine. Blue Origin originally developed the BE-7 for its Blue Moon lunar lander, a vehicle NASA selected for the Artemis program.
Capabilities for Cislunar and Deep Space Missions
The GS3 stage is engineered to support direct injection of payloads into geostationary orbit (GEO) and missions heading toward the moon. According to the company, the third stage allows for faster transit times to trans-lunar injection (TLI) points by preserving propellant for on-orbit operations.
Blue Origin has already secured a commitment for this new hardware. A government customer, currently unnamed, has booked a mission to cislunar space utilizing the GS3 stage, with a launch targeted for 2028. Although the company noted that the GS3 can support operations near the moon, it clarified that Blue Moon landing missions will not rely on the GS3-equipped New Glenn rocket for their primary launch.
CEO Dave Limp today unveiled GS3, a third stage that significantly expands New Glenn’s ability to deliver high-energy and deep-space missions, and Northstar, a new booster engine. Read more –> https://t.co/WtqlobooE7 pic.twitter.com/mMYurorE8i
Recovery Following Recent Operational Setbacks
The announcement of the third stage follows a difficult period for the New Glenn program. The vehicle has flown three times to date, but its most recent mission on April 19, 2026, failed to place the AST SpaceMobile BlueBird 7 communications satellite into its intended orbit, resulting in the loss of the spacecraft.
Just over a month later, on May 28, 2026, a New Glenn vehicle was destroyed during a routine engine test at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Blue Origin has been working to rebuild the launch pad and prepare the rocket for its fourth flight, which is anticipated to occur before the end of the year.
Northstar Engine Development
Alongside the GS3 announcement, Blue Origin revealed it is developing a new first-stage engine called Northstar. Like the existing BE-4, the Northstar engine uses a liquid oxygen and liquid methane (methalox) propellant combination.
The company stated that the Northstar engine is designed to be more powerful and efficient than its predecessor. It reportedly provides 715,000 pounds-force of thrust, an increase over the 640,000 pounds-force produced by the BE-4. Blue Origin also reported a 30% reduction in mass and a 50% decrease in parts count compared to the BE-4, noting that manufacturing advancements allow for assembly of the new engine in under a day. While the company stated that the program moved from approval to testing in 11 months, it has not provided a timeline for the engine’s first flight.
Differences Between New Glenn Configurations and Test Site Status
How does the GS3 stage differ from the standard New Glenn configuration? The standard New Glenn is a two-stage rocket currently standing 322 feet tall. The GS3 adds a third stage powered by a single BE-7 engine that supports heavy-lift science and exploration missions to the moon and deep space. Will the Northstar engine replace the BE-4 immediately? Blue Origin has not specified when the Northstar engine will be integrated into flight-ready rockets. What is the current status of the New Glenn launch site? Following the explosion of a test vehicle on May 28, 2026, at Cape Canaveral, the company has been conducting repairs and site reconstruction. The fourth flight of the New Glenn, expected later this year, will be the first attempt to resume operations after the incident.
Keep reading