Blue Origin Lays Off 10% of Workforce After First Orbital Launch

Blue Origin Cuts 10% of Workforce Just a Month After Historic Orbital Launch

Jeff Bezos’ space company, Blue Origin, is laying off 10% of its workforce, just weeks after the successful debut of its New Glenn rocket.

Layoffs Announced by CEO Dave Limp

CEO Dave Limp broke the news to employees on Thursday, with official layoff notifications sent out on Friday. In an email obtained by the Associated Press, Limp acknowledged that the decision was difficult but necessary.

“With our rapid growth over the past few years, bureaucracy increased, and focus decreased,” he wrote.

Why Blue Origin Is Cutting Jobs

According to Limp, the job cuts are aimed at streamlining operations and accelerating manufacturing and launch schedules. Despite recent milestones, the company is adjusting its workforce to remain efficient and competitive.

🔹 Blue Origin’s Operations:

• Headquarters: Kent, Washington
• Launch Sites: Florida (New Glenn) & Texas (New Shepard)

Competing with SpaceX & NASA Contracts

Blue Origin is in a high-stakes race with Elon Musk’s SpaceX, both competing for NASA contracts to land astronauts on the Moon in the coming years.

The layoffs come at a crucial time, as Blue Origin focuses on increasing its launch frequency and refining its space technology.

How Many Employees Are Affected?

The exact number of employees impacted by the layoffs remains unclear, as Blue Origin, a privately held company, does not disclose employment figures.

Final Thoughts

While Blue Origin celebrated a major success with New Glenn’s first orbital flight, the company is now making strategic adjustments to stay competitive in the evolving space industry. With its NASA contracts and future Moon missions, the focus is now on efficiency, innovation, and long-term growth.

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