Blue Origin Ramps Up Production for New Glenn's More Powerful Upper Stage
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Blue Origin is hiring a senior manager to oversee a significant production increase for the propellant tanks of its new 'Quattro' upper stage. The company aims to boost production from 12 tanks per year to 60 by 2028 and 100 by 2029. This expansion supports the development of a more powerful variant of the New Glenn rocket, which has launched three times since its debut.
Facts First
- Blue Origin is hiring a senior manager to lead tank fabrication for the new 'Quattro' upper stage.
- Production targets call for a ramp from 12 tanks per year to 60 by Q3 2028 and 100 annually by 2029.
- The Quattro stage is a more powerful variant for the New Glenn rocket, featuring four BE-3U engines.
- The propellant tank is described as the most complex and schedule-critical subsystem on the vehicle.
- The New Glenn rocket has launched three times since its first flight in January 2025.
What Happened
Blue Origin has posted a job opportunity for a 'Senior Manager of Gen 2.0 Tank Fabrication' to oversee production of propellant tanks for a new upper stage nicknamed 'Quattro'. The role involves owning the production execution for what is described as the most structurally complex and schedule-critical subsystem on the vehicle. The job posting includes specific production rate targets, which a company official confirmed are accurate.
Why this Matters to You
This hiring and production ramp signals a major scaling of Blue Origin's orbital launch capabilities. For the space industry and related sectors, this could mean more frequent launch opportunities and increased competition, which may help drive down costs for satellite deployment over time. A more powerful New Glenn rocket could also expand the range of missions possible, from larger commercial satellites to potential government and scientific payloads.
What's Next
The new manager will be tasked with executing a production ramp from 12 tanks per year to 60 per year by the third quarter of 2028, with a target of 100 second stages annually by 2029. This expansion supports the development of the '9x4' variant of New Glenn, which Blue Origin revealed plans for in November. The increased production rate may be crucial for meeting future launch demand and fulfilling the rocket's enhanced performance profile.