T-Minus Space Daily: "Blue Origin’s New Glenn Nails its Second Mission"
Date: November 14, 2025
Host: Maria Varmazes
Produced by: N2K Networks
Special Contributors: Alice Carruth, Alicia Segal (NASAspaceflight.com)
Episode Overview
This episode focuses on a pivotal week in the space industry, headlined by Blue Origin’s successful second mission of the New Glenn rocket, marking a significant milestone both for commercial spaceflight and national security launches. The show also covers major advancements and updates in satellite deployment, space plane development, lunar research facilities, and the ongoing evolution of timekeeping for extraterrestrial operations. Industry news, international space launches, and a detailed weekly launch recap round out the episode.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Blue Origin’s New Glenn’s Historic Second Launch
[02:16 - 05:04]
- Launch Details:
- New Glenn lifted off for its second-ever flight on November 13, 2025 at 3:55pm local from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
- This mission was the vehicle’s second National Security Space Launch (NSSL) certification flight, carrying payloads and aiming towards operational status for U.S. Space Force missions.
- Mission Achievements:
- Successfully deployed NASA’s Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers (EscaPADE) twin spacecraft (built by Rocket Lab) into loiter orbit.
- Performed a successful booster landing on an Atlantic ship, an impressive feat given the vehicle’s size and that this is only its second mission.
- Host’s perspective:
“And of course I wouldn’t blame you, but you might be thinking, well, SpaceX does that all the time. But this booster is much bigger than any that have landed before, and it did it only on its second-ever flight for a mission dubbed Never tell me the Odds. They look very good from here. Bravo Blue Origin.”
— Maria Varmazes (05:04)
Significance:
- Blue Origin becomes the second company (after SpaceX) to land an orbital-class booster propulsively.
- Sets the stage for robust commercial competition in heavy-lift reusable launch vehicles.
- EscaPADE’s forthcoming 2026 Mars journey will study solar wind interaction with Mars’ magnetic field.
2. Other Major Launches & Satellite Developments
[05:43 - 07:46]
- Viasat 3F2 Satellite:
- Launched via ULA Atlas V, set to add 1 terabit/second capacity, doubling existing network capabilities.
- Viasat Halonet Demonstration:
- Onboard New Glenn’s second stage, tested Viasat’s Telemetry Data Relay Service for NASA’s Communications Services Project.
- Quote:
“Viasat’s highest capacity satellite is now on its way to orbit... Viasat 3F2 is designed to add 1 terabit per second of capacity to ViaSat’s network, which is... more than the operator’s entire existing network.”
— Maria Varmazes (06:35)
3. Space Kinetic’s Missile Defense Contract
[07:47 - 08:28]
- DARPA Award:
- Contracted to advance asymmetric, space-based missile defense architecture and supporting hardware.
- Company emphasizing timely delivery to meet urgent national security needs.
4. Progress on Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser Spaceplane
[08:28 - 09:03]
- Testing Milestones:
- Successfully completed EM interference/compatibility, tow, and TDRSS comms tests at Kennedy Space Center.
- Still on track for first low Earth orbit mission in Q4 2026.
5. Lunar Research Expansion in Texas
[09:03 - 10:06]
- Intuitive Machines & Texas A&M Partnership:
- $200 million-backed Space Institute opening in 2026.
- Unique 400,000 sq ft facility includes world’s largest indoor lunar and Mars test environments.
- Aims to advance lunar mission readiness and workforces for future exploration.
- Quote:
“Intuitive Machines and Texas A&M have signed an agreement that will give Intuitive Machines a dedicated bay in the Space Institute facility… The partnership aims to advance lunar mission readiness and develop a skilled workforce.”
— Maria Varmazes (09:33)
6. China’s Human Spaceflight Update
[10:06 - 10:34]
- Shenzhou 20 crew safely returned to Earth after 204 days; vehicle sustained minor window cracks from space debris.
Weekly Space Traffic Report — NASAspaceflight.com
[13:01 - 18:52] | Alicia Segal
Launches Reviewed (Nov 8–14, 2025)
- China:
- Cheongjiang 11H sea launch, Lijian 1, Changjung 12 (Guo Wang internet constellation), and Galactic Energy Series 1 (failed launch affecting Series 2’s debut).
- USA:
- Two SpaceX Starlink launches, milestones in payload and booster reuse.
-
Blue Origin’s New Glenn — first dual-satellite Mars mission on a commercial rocket, succeeded in landing its booster.
“The cherry on top for this mission was the booster’s attempt to land on the deck of the company’s landing barge Jaclyn... this time the first stage, named Never Tell Me the Odds, successfully... touched down, making Blue Origin the second company to propulsively land an orbital class booster.”
— Alicia Segal (16:45)
- ULA Atlas V:
- Launched Viasat 3F2 satellite, set to double ViaSat's capacity.
Records & Statistics
- SpaceX: 144 Falcon 9 missions so far in 2025, beating last year’s record and on track for ~170 yearly launches.
Upcoming (Nov 15–20, 2025)
- 4 potential SpaceX Starlink missions
- Rocket Lab’s suborbital Electron (record 17th launch)
- Transporter 15 rideshare (59+ payloads)
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
-
On booster landing significance:
“But this booster is much bigger than any that have landed before, and it did it only on its second-ever flight for a mission dubbed Never tell me the Odds... Bravo Blue Origin.”
— Maria Varmazes (05:04) -
On timekeeping beyond Earth:
“And space time as in timekeeping in space might not be something you’ve thought about a lot... whose time are we all going to be keeping going by?... proper synchronization and timekeeping is going to be a make or break necessity when we are talking about things like, oh, I don’t know, autonomous systems, communications swarms...”
— Maria Varmazes (19:41)
Special Topic: The Future of Timekeeping in Space
[19:37 - 21:24]
- Vardis Space Corp unveiled a new open-source framework for synchronizing time between space systems, essential for cislunar and interplanetary infrastructure where Earth-based time standards become increasingly irrelevant.
Additional Industry Headlines
[10:49 - 11:09] | Alice Carruth
- Ionq to acquire Skyloom.
- Financial updates from MDA Space, Virgin Galactic.
Episode Flow & Tone
- Informative and slightly playful, striking a balance between rigorous industry detail and accessible, engaging delivery.
- Effusive admiration for major “firsts” balanced with context about why the achievements matter.
- Frequent use of analogies and asides (“space time makes things cooler”) to keep segments lively and relatable.
For Listeners: Why This Episode Matters
This episode captures a landmark moment for commercial heavy-lift launch capability with Blue Origin’s New Glenn booster making history, outlines vital national security and commercial advancements, and touches on both international competition and the multidisciplinary challenges ahead (like timekeeping for a multi-planet society). The weekly recap from NASAspaceflight.com provides a global view of rapid progress in launch cadence and capabilities.
Listeners will leave with a deepened appreciation for how quickly the space ecosystem is evolving—and where the next big frontiers lie.