Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Blue Origin's Cape Canaveral factory to praise the company's role in U.S. military launches and its shift toward supporting lunar missions. He highlighted the firm’s on-time, under-budget performance and called for "American space dominance," saying the U.S. must control "the ultimate high ground." The visit coincided with NASA’s Artemis 2 wet dress rehearsal and was part of Hegseth’s "Arsenal of Freedom" tour to boost U.S. manufacturing.
Hegseth Calls for 'American Space Dominance' During Blue Origin Visit as Artemis 2 Rehearsal Nears
Hegseth pushes ‘American space dominance’ at Blue Origin factory
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Blue Origin's rocket factory in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on Monday, praising the company's work supporting U.S. military launches and broader space exploration efforts.
Visit Highlights
Hegseth reviewed a range of Department of Defense operations conducted during the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, noting that Blue Origin-developed launch systems played a key role in those missions. He commended the workforce for its efficiency and focus on timeliness.
"You guys are under budget and ahead of schedule," Hegseth told factory personnel, underscoring the importance of speed and reliability in defense manufacturing.
Blue Origin, founded by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, recently announced a strategic shift away from its space-tourism business to concentrate resources on upcoming U.S. lunar missions. In a Friday release, the company said this move reflects its commitment to the nation’s goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a sustained lunar presence.
Strategic Rationale
Hegseth framed the transition as part of a broader push for what he called "American space dominance," arguing the United States must control "the ultimate high ground." He repeated the sentiment plainly: "Space is the ultimate high ground."
Timing and Context
Monday also marked NASA’s wet dress rehearsal for Artemis 2 — the agency’s first crewed mission around the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. Hegseth toured the Artemis rocket and met with NASA officials ahead of the rehearsal.
The stop at Blue Origin was part of Hegseth’s nationwide "Arsenal of Freedom" tour, which the Pentagon described as a call to revitalize American manufacturing and reenergize the nation’s workforce.
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