Blue Origin is moving forward with an expansion at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The company recently disclosed plans to construct a second launch pad at Launch Complex 36. This new site, designated LC-36B, will support the upgraded New Glenn 9x4 rocket.
This expansion includes more than just the launch pad itself. The company intends to build a vertical integration facility and a payload processing facility to support future missions. The United States Space Force previously awarded a contract to assist with the development of the satellite processing infrastructure at the site.
Work at the base follows the May 28 incident where a New Glenn rocket exploded during a static-fire test. That event damaged the existing LC-36A pad. Blue Origin is currently focused on repairing this primary site. CEO Dave Limp confirmed that returning to flight operations this year remains the top priority for the team.
The company is also shifting how it prepares rockets for launch. They are moving to a hybrid operations model where the first stage rolls out horizontally, but the upper stage and payload arrive vertically. Teams have conducted successful tests of these vertical stacking and lifting procedures at another facility, LC-11, to ensure the new mechanisms are ready for active use.
While the company has not provided a specific construction timeline for LC-36B or a launch date for the larger New Glenn 9x4 vehicle, these developments indicate a commitment to long-term site capacity. The focus remains on stabilizing existing pad operations before the new infrastructure becomes fully active.