Blue Origin has announced a new partnership with Scout Space, a company specializing in space domain awareness (SDA), to launch a cutting-edge orbital safety payload on the first operational flight of Blue Origin’s Blue Ring spacecraft.
A rendering of Blue Origin's Blue Ring spacecraft platform, equipped with multiple payloads and components.
Credit: Blue Origin
The mission is scheduled for Spring 2026, and will carry Scout’s Owl sensor — an advanced, AI-powered system designed to detect, track, and classify objects in orbit, including satellites, space debris, and other anomalies. The Owl sensor will be deployed into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) before transitioning to its final position in geostationary orbit (GEO) to begin operational monitoring.
This mission will mark the first official payload flight for Blue Ring, a modular, multi-purpose satellite bus developed by Blue Origin. Capable of supporting up to 13 payloads across multiple interface ports, Blue Ring can carry up to 8,800 pounds (4,000 kilograms) and is designed for high maneuverability, making it suitable for a wide range of orbital destinations — from low Earth orbit to deep space, including potential missions to the Moon or Mars.
The spacecraft will launch aboard Blue Origin’s New Glenn rocket, which successfully reached orbit for the first time in January 2025. That earlier mission carried a pathfinder version of Blue Ring to validate its avionics and structural systems. The upcoming 2026 launch will be Blue Ring’s first operational deployment, showcasing its capability to host and deliver functional payloads.
“This first mission integrating Scout’s Owl sensor marks a major milestone in advancing SDA capabilities and reinforces Blue Origin’s dedication to national mission needs,” said Paul Ebertz, Senior Vice President of Blue Origin’s In-Space Systems.
The Owl sensor, designed and built by Scout Space, uses artificial intelligence to autonomously monitor orbital objects, enhancing space situational awareness for both national security and commercial sectors. The system supports the U.S. Space Force's goal of maintaining space superiority in an increasingly crowded and contested orbital environment.
"This collaboration with Blue Origin is a significant step toward delivering secure and intelligent SDA tools in orbit," said Philip Hover-Smoot, CEO of Scout Space. "No one company can lead space superiority alone — we’re excited to contribute to this landmark mission."
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