Blue Origin’s newly named lunar lander headed to Houston for testing
Blue Origin’s next launch from the Space Coast could still be its uncrewed and newly named Blue Moon MK1 lander, but it will have to take a trip to Houston and back before it can get to the moon.
The company posted to social media Tuesday an image of the lander, packaged up for safe travels, leaving the company’s Space Coast manufacturing facilities and headed for Port Canaveral.
“Introducing Endurance. Named for Ernest Shackleton’s legendary ship that journeyed to Earth’s South Pole, MK1 honors resilience under pressure. That same spirit of perseverance guides our mission to the lunar south pole,” the post reads.
Blue Moon MK1 left for the port today ahead of shipment to Houston.
Introducing Endurance. Named for Ernest Shackleton’s legendary ship that journeyed to Earth’s South Pole, MK1 honors resilience under pressure. That same spirit of perseverance guides our mission to the lunar… pic.twitter.com/ofNoXwIDq1
— Blue Origin (@blueorigin) January 20, 2026
The lander is headed to NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston for thermal vacuum chamber testing. It will eventually be shipped back to the Space Coast where it’s to be launched atop a New Glenn rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 36.