Blue Origin to fly another 90-year-old into outer space It is now well into December, and Blue Origin has yet to launch one New Glenn, let alone get a second one on the pad. Along with carrying the Blue Ring payload, the mission will also serve as the rocket's first National Security Space Launch certification flight, essential for future lucrative national security missions. The Blue Ring demonstrator includes a communications array, power systems, and a flight computer affixed to a secondary payload adapter ring. While the eventual plan for Blue Ring is to be able to host and deploy payloads and maneuver to multiple orbits and locations, the pathfinder will remain onboard New Glenn's second stage for the duration of the planned six-hour mission. Blue Origin currently flies the New Shepard rocket, which can send a capsule on a sub-orbital trajectory, with all vehicle components reusable. The company was the first to land a Vertical Takeoff and Vertical Landing (VTVL) rocket before being trumped by SpaceX with a landing of the first stage of the orbital Falcon 9. SpaceX has since launched Falcon 9s at an increasing pace, while Blue Origin's orbital rocket, the New Glenn, has yet to leave the pad. ®