Blue Origin's Blue Ring to Demo Operation Capabilities on DarkSky-1 Mission

Blue Origin will demonstrate Blue Ring’s mission operation capabilities and core flight systems on an upcoming Defense Innovation Unit (DIU)-sponsored launch, furthering its mission to build a road to space.

Blue Ring’s end-to-end services will seamlessly connect ground and space communications to support a variety of missions on-orbit. The DarkSky-1 (DS-1) mission will demonstrate Blue Origin's flight systems, including space-based processing capabilities, telemetry, tracking and command (TT&C) hardware, and ground-based radiometric tracking.

“The lessons learned from this DS-1 mission will provide a leap forward for Blue Ring and its ability to provide greater access to multiple orbits, bringing us closer to our vision of millions of people living and working in space for the benefit of Earth,” said Paul Ebertz, Senior Vice President of Blue Origin’s In-Space Systems.

The DS-1 mission is a collaboration between Blue Origin and DIU for in-flight validation of Blue Ring’s orbital payload and mission operation capabilities under an Other Transaction Agreement. The U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command's Assured Access to Space Mission Manifest Office manifested the DS-1 mission to fly on a National Security Space Launch.

Blue Ring has unprecedented delta-V capabilities for commercial and government customers to easily maneuver through multiple orbits. The spacecraft platform also provides in-space processing and access to onboard data storage to ensure a customer’s successful mission.

The DarkSky-1 mission is expected to be launched co-manifested on the upper stage of a future National Security Space Launch. The launch service provider and specific timeframe have not been disclosed.