Blue Origin adds third stage to New Glenn, reclassifies rocket as super heavy lift
Disclosed 6 November 2026, the upgrade will extend New Glenn's deep space and geostationary payload capacity.
By Yara Castellanos · 11hKENT, United States, Nov. 6, 2026 - Blue Origin is developing a new third stage and engine for its New Glenn rocket, the company confirmed this week.
With the addition of the upper stage, New Glenn will be reclassified from a heavy lift to super heavy lift launch vehicle.
The Glenn Stage 3 upper stage will be capable of delivering up to 14 metric tons to geostationary orbit, and 20 metric tons to trans-lunar injection.
Blue Origin has confirmed a government cis-lunar mission using the upgraded stage is scheduled for 2028. No additional mission details have been provided.
Impact Insight. Super heavy lift launch vehicles are the only class capable of carrying large payloads directly beyond low Earth orbit without on-orbit refuelling. Expanded trans-lunar lift capacity increases the range of missions that can be conducted in the space between Earth and the Moon.
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