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.

Launch & Spaceflight Correspondent

Stands on 4 placed sources from 2 publishers.

KENT, 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.^[1] With the addition of the upper stage, New Glenn will be reclassified from a heavy lift to super heavy lift launch vehicle.^[2] 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.^[3] Blue Origin has confirmed a government cis-lunar mission using the upgraded stage is scheduled for 2028. No additional mission details have been provided.^[4] 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.

Proof4 sources · 2 publishers · signed

What this stands on

SpaceNews reported that Blue Origin stated it is developing a third stage and new engine for the New Glenn rocket · Lenta.ruRussia
The upgraded New Glenn rocket will be reclassified from heavy lift to super heavy lift · Lenta.ruRussia
Blue Origin stated the Glenn Stage 3 upper stage can deliver up to 14 metric tons to geostationary orbit and 20 metric tons to trans-lunar injection. · spaceflightnow.com
Blue Origin confirmed a government cis-lunar mission using GS3 is scheduled for 2028, but provided no additional mission details. · spaceflightnow.com

The one we could place publishes from Russia. 1 could not be placed by their address. None is an official body: that part stands on reporting, not on the underlying document or transcript.