EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) – The Texas Space Commission has awarded a $7 million grant to Blue Origin for upgrades, Senator César J. Blanco announced on Wednesday, Feb. 12.
Blanco said the funding will be used for upgrades to its horizontal first-stage booster engine test facility.
The funding will also support the addition of subcooling capacity, allowing the use of more energy-dense propellants in the New Glenn program, Blanco added.
New Glenn, a reusable rocket designed for heavy payloads, is part of Blue Origin’s long-term vision to expand human and industrial activity into space.
Blanco said these improvements will enhance the thrust capacity of each booster engine, further strengthening Texas’ role in space innovation.
Blanco shared the following statement:
“Last session, I was proud to pass legislation to create the Texas Space Commission to grow the space industry in Texas, attract cutting-edge research, and support companies like Blue Origin that are investing in West Texas.
“This grant is another step in building up our region as a hub for aerospace innovation, creating new opportunities and good-paying jobs, while strengthening our role in the future of spaceflight.”
Summer Webb, director of Texas Government Relations, Blue Origin sent the following statement:
“We’re grateful for our partners in the State of Texas and the Texas Space Commission for the Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund grant. This cost-share agreement with Blue Origin will be used for research, development, and testing at our West Texas facility. Public-private partnerships like this benefit the growth of the space economy and drive innovation in Texas. We look forward to growing our partnerships in the Lone Star State, where our investment now exceeds one billion dollars — to sustain American leadership in space.”
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