Blue Origin’s Blue Ring vehicle. Photo: Blue Origin

Blue Origin will integrate an optical payload from Optimum Technologies (OpTech) on the first operational Blue Ring mission, set to launch in 2026. The vehicle will perform a space domain awareness (SDA) mission, including object tracking and characterization in Geostationary Orbit (GEO). 

Blue Ring is Blue Origin’s maneuverable, multi-mission spacecraft. A Blue Ring pathfinder mission launched early this year on the first New Glenn mission. The vehicle can provide in-space services including payload delivery and hosting. 

The mission will fly the OpTech Caracal optical payload, which is designed to collect data on resident space objects and orbital activity. This is part of a follow-on to a 2024 OpTech award from the U.S. Space Force’s Tactically Responsive Space program. OpTech is also providing the Caracal’s telescope and imaging components for the upcoming VICTUS SURGO mission. 

“This is an important step forward,” said Tim Rumford, executive vice president at OpTech. “By leveraging the already matured hardware and architecture, we’re able to rapidly field a low-cost, intelligent optical system on Blue Ring, extending mission value and new capabilities into GEO.”

This Blue Ring mission will also fly with Scout Space’s Owl sensor, also designed to assess objects in space, along with in-house payloads from Blue Origin.