News by Levels · Level 1 · Student worksheet

NASA added a launch option

In this lesson: Identify the service NASA added and the end of the ordering period.

Name: __________________________ Date: __________________

Read the story

NASA added Blue Origin’s New Glenn 9×4 service to its Launch Services II contract on 29 September.

The contract allows several providers to compete for future work. Its ordering period runs through June 2030, while work can continue through December 2032.

NASA’s Launch Services Program matches spacecraft with suitable rockets. Adding an option to the framework did not assign a particular mission to it or mean a new launch had already happened.

Editorial correction, 26 October 2026: We corrected factual wording and chronology after checking the sources below. This is a retrospective archive review; the original publication date is retained.

Source: Sources checked 26 October 2026. https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-adds-blue-origin-new-glenn-9x4-to-launch-services-contract/ https://www.nasa.gov/kennedy/launch-services-program/

Read and practise

1. What does the June 2030 date concern?

   1. The ordering period
   2. The end of every mission’s science work
   3. A confirmed launch date

2. Which company provides New Glenn 9×4?

   1. NASA’s Launch Services Program
   2. A single unnamed exclusive provider
   3. Blue Origin

Your turn

Which service was added, and did that mean a launch had happened?

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Read online: https://newsbylevels.com/news/nasa-adds-new-glenn-launch-contract-september-2026/level-1/