Blue Ring is a spacecraft platform designed to support spacecraft operation, under development by Blue Origin. The platform is to be capable of refuelling, transporting, and hosting satellites.[1] A prototype is expected to launch on New Glenn’s inaugural flight in late 2024.
The Blue Ring platform accommodates satellites using a primary payload adapter, capable of supporting a 2 t (4,400 lb) satellite, as well as 12 ESPA and ESPA Grande adapters, capable of supporting 500 kg (1,100 lb)-class satellites. In total, the platform can carry up to 3.0 t (6,600 lb) of payload, depending on the target orbit. The platform is marketed towards a number of destination orbits, include geosynchronous orbits, Lagrange points, cislunar and lunar orbits, and potentially interstellar space. Because of this capability, Blue Origin markets Blue Ring as a space tug as well as a satellite support platform. Other capabilities of Blue Ring include thermal management, communications relaying, and spacecraft refuelling. Blue Ring itself is to be refuellable on-orbit.[2][3]
The spacecraft is to use a combination of electric propulsion and chemical propulsion; chemical propulsion is to be used for major maneouvres, while electric propulsion is intended to be used for stationkeeping maneouvres or to reduce the propellant demands of orbit changes. Electric power is provided by 44 m (144 ft) solar array wings made up of roll-out solar array blankets.[2]
Blue Ring is designed to be launch-vehicle agnostic, allowing launch aboard carrier rockets with EELV-class 5 m (16 ft) fairings such as the Vulcan Centaur, Falcon 9, and Atlas V. The platform is also to be launched on Blue Origin's own New Glenn space launch vehicle.[2]
