Senator César J. Blanco Announces $7 Million Grant for Blue Origin Facility Upgrades

Press Release Contact: Taylor Sanchez
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Taylor.sanchez@senate.texas.gov
February 12, 2025
Senator César J. Blanco Announces $7 Million Grant for
Blue Origin Facility Upgrades
El Paso, Texas – Senator César J. Blanco is pleased to announce the Texas Space Commission
has awarded a $7 million grant to Blue Origin for upgrades to its horizontal first-stage booster
engine test facility. The funding will support the addition of subcooling capacity, allowing the
use of more energy-dense propellants in the New Glenn program. New Glenn, a reusable rocket
designed for heavy payloads, is part of Blue Origin’s long-term vision to expand human and
industrial activity into space.
These improvements will enhance the thrust capacity of each booster engine, further
strengthening Texas' role in space innovation.
Senator Blanco offered the following statement:
"Last session, I was proud to pass legislation to create the Texas Space Commission to grow the
space industry in Texas, attract cutting-edge research, and support companies like Blue Origin
that are investing in West Texas.
“This grant is another step in building up our region as a hub for aerospace innovation, creating
new opportunities and good-paying jobs, while strengthening our role in the future of
spaceflight."
Summer Webb, Director of Texas Government Relations, Blue Origin issued the following
statement:
“We’re grateful for our partners in the State of Texas and the Texas Space Commission for the
Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund grant. This cost-share agreement with Blue
Origin will be used for research, development, and testing at our West Texas facility. Public-
private partnerships like this benefit the growth of the space economy and drive innovation in
Texas. We look forward to growing our partnerships in the Lone Star State, where our
investment now exceeds one billion dollars -- to sustain American leadership in space.”
For inquiries or requests, please contact Taylor Sanchez at Taylor.Sanchez@senate.texas.gov.