Blue Origin’s “New Glenn” rocket during its second launch from Launch Complex 36 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, on November 13, 2025.
Blue Origin announced on Friday the suspension of its space tourism activities to focus on the Moon, as it seeks to compete with SpaceX.
In a statement, Blue Origin said it “will suspend” space tourism flights “for at least two years,” explaining that it “will reallocate its resources to accelerate the development of the company’s lunar capabilities.”
The company has offered a service since 2021 to transport tourists to space for a few minutes aboard its small “New Shepard” vehicle.
The announcement to suspend these flights, whose price was not disclosed and which featured celebrities such as singer Katy Perry, comes amid increasing competition between the two companies regarding NASA’s “Artemis” program, which aims to send American astronauts back to the lunar surface.
NASA tasked both companies years ago with developing a lunar lander each; SpaceX for the first mission to return to the lunar surface, and Blue Origin for a subsequent flight. However, facing delays from SpaceX, NASA expressed concern and announced in the fall of 2025 that it would issue a new call for bids.
Blue Origin intends to seize this opportunity; therefore, it is working hard to complete its lunar lander before its main competitor.
First Crewed Mission
The issue gains importance as the administration seeks to accelerate lunar missions, while China also plans to send astronauts to the Moon by 2030.
– NASA delays first crewed mission to the Moon due to extreme cold
– Argentina launches a satellite into space coinciding with NASA’s lunar mission
The first crewed mission under the “Artemis 2” program is scheduled to launch in the coming weeks, marking the first crewed flight around the Moon in over 50 years.
The subsequent “Artemis 3” mission, which is planned to actually land on the lunar surface, will depend heavily on the progress made by Blue Origin and SpaceX.
Blue Origin
Blue Origin is an American private aerospace manufacturer and spaceflight services company founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos. Its primary goal is to develop technologies to enable private human access to space, with notable achievements including the reusable New Shepard suborbital launch vehicle and the development of the New Glenn orbital rocket.
New Glenn
New Glenn is a heavy-lift orbital launch vehicle under development by Blue Origin, named in honor of NASA astronaut John Glenn. It is designed to be a reusable rocket, with the first stage intended to land vertically for multiple flights, aiming to reduce the cost of access to space. Its development history began with an announcement in 2016, and it represents a significant part of the modern private spaceflight industry.
Launch Complex 36
Launch Complex 36 (LC-36) is a former launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, USA, which was active from 1962 to 2005. It was primarily used by the United States Air Force for launching Atlas-Centaur rockets, a workhorse vehicle that sent numerous scientific and military payloads into space, including the Surveyor lunar landers and the Mariner planetary probes. The complex has since been demolished, with its legacy carried on by the adjacent commercial launch facilities of Blue Origin.
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station is a key U.S. military installation and historic launch site for space exploration, located on Florida’s coast. Originally established in 1949 as the Joint Long Range Proving Ground, it was the launch point for America’s first satellite and many early crewed space missions. It was renamed from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to its current title in 2020.
Florida
Florida is a southeastern U.S. state known for its extensive coastline, theme parks, and unique Everglades ecosystem. It was first colonized by Spain in the 16th century, later transferred to Britain, and became a U.S. territory in 1821 before achieving statehood in 1845. Its history is deeply shaped by Spanish colonial architecture, the citrus industry, and its role as a major tourist destination.
SpaceX
SpaceX, or Space Exploration Technologies Corp., is a private American aerospace manufacturer and space transportation services company founded in 2002 by entrepreneur Elon Musk. Its history is defined by pioneering reusable rocket technology, drastically reducing the cost of access to space, and achieving milestones like being the first private company to send a spacecraft to the International Space Station.
New Shepard
New Shepard is a reusable suborbital launch vehicle developed by Blue Origin, designed to carry passengers and payloads to the edge of space. Named after astronaut Alan Shepard, the first American in space, it completed its first successful uncrewed test flight in 2015 and its first crewed mission in 2021.
Katy Perry
Katy Perry is not a place or cultural site, but an American singer and songwriter. She rose to fame in the late 2000s with her pop hits and is known for her vibrant, theatrical performances and music videos.
NASA
NASA, or the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, is the United States government agency responsible for the nation’s civilian space program and aerospace research. It was established in 1958 in response to the Soviet Union’s launch of Sputnik, marking the beginning of the U.S.-Soviet space race. NASA is renowned for landmark achievements like the Apollo moon landings and the operation of the Space Shuttle and International Space Station.
Artemis
The Temple of Artemis, located in Ephesus (modern-day Turkey), was a massive Greek temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis. Built and rebuilt several times, its most famous version from around 550 BCE was one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, renowned for its grand size and ornate decoration before its final destruction in 401 CE.
Moon
The Moon is Earth’s only natural satellite, formed approximately 4.5 billion years ago from debris after a giant impact between Earth and a Mars-sized body. It has been a central object in human mythology, timekeeping, and scientific study throughout history, with the first human landing occurring in 1969 during NASA’s Apollo 11 mission.
China
China is one of the world’s oldest continuous civilizations, with a recorded history spanning over four millennia. It is home to numerous UNESCO World Heritage sites, such as the Great Wall and the Forbidden City, which reflect its long imperial past and profound cultural achievements.
Argentina
Argentina is a South American nation with a rich cultural heritage shaped by indigenous traditions, Spanish colonization, and later waves of European immigration. Its history includes the May Revolution of 1810 leading to independence, followed by periods of economic prosperity, political instability, and the development of a distinct national identity famed for tango, gaucho culture, and literature.
