Cowboy Space Reveals Big Iron, Its Data Center Rocket, and Opens Commercial Launch to Government and Third-Party Payloads

Cowboy designed Big Iron around the single purpose of putting data centers in space, which makes it simpler and more efficient to build and fly than a general-purpose vehicle. To further optimize the cost and production speed, many of the rocket’s features serve dual-purposes depending on whether it is on ascent or in orbit. For example, Big Iron’s skin becomes the data center’s radiator; the ammonia propellant becomes the coolant; and the nitrogen pressurizing the rocket’s second stage deploys the satellite’s solar wings.

The key to Cowboy’s design is that rather than deploying a small satellite and being discarded, the upper stage joins Cowboy’s constellation, so every launch grows its compute capacity at a cost competitive price. Once deployed at dawn-dusk orbit, the satellite is 132 meters by 73 meters and can carry five compute racks of NVIDIA Vera Rubin GPUs. The same upper stage will be designed to carry other companies’ payloads, configured to suit each mission.

The stainless steel vehicle with a reusable booster stands 86 meters tall and is designed to carry more than 15,000 kg to sun-synchronous orbit. It is sized to the limit of road transport, which speeds production and keeps capital costs down. The first stage is powered by nine liquid oxygen and methane “Clydesdale” engines, each of which provides 300,000 lbs of thrust. Cowboy selected methane to support reuse, and chose a gas generator engine cycle, a proven architecture, to shorten the path to first flight.

Cowboy has filed an application with the FCC for a 20,000-satellite constellation called Stampede. The company launched its first satellite, Reason-1, on October 1 to demonstrate laser power beaming from orbit to Earth. Reason-2, slated for 2027, will operate GPUs in orbit for commercial and government workloads, processing data where it’s collected and sending results to Earth. Cowboy is targeting its first flight of Big Iron in 2028 and intends to scale its Stampede constellation rapidly thereafter.

Just got offered a job as a tech II in Cape Canaveral. Salary is not even close to what I currently make, but I really want to work with Blue for a number of reasons. That being said I have a few questions:

1) How often do evaluations and relevant pay adjustments get made during your first year?
2) How hard is it to transition from a tech II to a tech III?
3) I know raises are generally performance based, but what is the general range/frequency of raises?

Asking because I haven’t made as little as they offered in 8 years. TIA for any help in info.

I was offered an interview for an internship position and was wondering what the interview is like, how technical does the interview get, and what the general timeline is? Does Blue do multiple rounds or is it more of a one and done sort of deal?

Still more to be done but they definitely silenced a ton of skeptics

I start an L1 engineering job in the quality field soon and I’m scared that I won’t be good enough. I moved across the country for this job too. Any advice to calm my nerves? Any past L1 engineers?

A recruiter reached out to me for an interview for a role at Blue. I have zero manufacturing engineering experience. The job posting is for mid to senior for multiple manufacturing operations on the lunar operations. I’ll be specifically looking at the “assembly, integration, and test” as this is more closely aligned with my background.

Am I cooked? Possibly but we ball anyway.

What should I expect for the recruiter interview? Is it a standard recruiter interview? Or are all interviews technical from the start? I’ve been reviewing Blues mission, blues 14 principles and why I want to work for Blue.

What manufacturing methods/terms/etc should I start reviewing to better set my self up? What potential technical questions would they be asking? I started reviewing foundation manufacturing engineering principles but I would like to narrow it down to what I need to know vs what I can save for later but given I have no experience it’s hard to distinguish.

Furthermore, if anyone is on the Lunar operations side if they could speak to their experience on the culture, the WLB (more specifically how many hours per week. Standard 50? Occasional weekends?) and if they find the work interesting (I’m sure you do).

I have 7 years of experience (5 years installation/test and 2 years design) making 114k at an aviation federal agency and would appreciate any advice that could set me up for success 🙏

I can’t find much on reddit about BO manufacturing engineering jobs and lunar operations.

Thank you in advance 🫡

god speed to everyone at Blue

How does over time look in The automation and controls department?

There is a Blue Origin job posting for a Launch Vehicle Operations Technician at Cape Canaveral.

I've always wanted to be one of the guys who assembled rockets but assumed it would always remain a fantasy until I saw Blue Origin's requirements:

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Minimum Qualifications:

High school diploma, GED or equivalent

Relevant mechanical and/or electrical experience working on aerospace, automotive, or oil and gas equipment, or equivalent: (0-3 years Level I Technician, 3+ years Level II Technician, 5+ years Level III Technician, 8+ years Level IV Technician)

Demonstrated ability to use standard hand tools and electrical tools in a professional setting.

Proficient in using computers to interact with software platforms, including work documentation applications (e.g., SAP, Maximo) and machinery Human Machine Interfaces (HMI’s); able to provide examples of past documentation and HMI usage.

Proven reliability, as evidenced by supervisor or peer feedback, including willingness and ability to work scheduled overtime as required by operational needs.

Documented ability to follow complex work instructions, accurately complete work documentation, and maintain a clean and organized work area.

Able to lift up to 50lbs unassisted, work at heights up to 20 feet, and safely climb ladders and stairs.

Demonstrated proficiency in both verbal and written communication, including team collaboration, as evidenced by prior performance reviews or interview assessment.

Able to accurately interpret engineering models, mechanical drawings, technical specifications, written instructions, and test procedures.

Demonstrated history of earning trust, maintaining positive relationships, and fostering inclusive workplace culture.

Must be able to obtain U.S. Space Force Defense Biometric Identification System (DBIDS) access credentials (background check required).

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I meet all of these but I'm on the automotive sid (20 YoE), not aerospace.

The posting mentions automotive experience as a qualification.

So, is it realistic for an automotive technician to even apply for something like this?

I just did the panel interview last Tuesday. It’s currently Wednesday evening and I haven’t heard anything yet. The hiring manager told me I would hear this week. Thoughts?

Update: heard this week that interviews will conclude on 11/2 and that’s why they didn’t get back to me yet. The originally timeline I was given was pushed back significantly. Still hoping for the best.

An IPO would give Blue Origin the means to raise substantial capital from public investors and reduce its dependence on Bezos's personal wealth. The company could then use that money to expand manufacturing, develop new technology and compete for a greater share of the growing space market.

Saw this while scrolling through another subreddit. Apparently, it came from a former Blue Origin employee on Discord, who also leaked close-up footage of the destruction at Launch Complex 36.
I know there are a lot of current and former Blue Origin employees on this sub, so I’m curious if any of these claims are true.

Noticed Blue Origin’s posted a “Lunar Shift Leader, Manufacturing, Ops & Assembly” role in Seattle at $113K–$158K — higher band than their typical shift-lead postings. Could just be normal scaling, but the explicit “Lunar” tag on a manufacturing ops role (not engineering) makes me wonder if Blue Moon production is ramping toward a cadence.

Blue Origin will deploy a lunar habitat module NET 2033 as part of NASA's Cargo HLS contract

Now for Blue Origin's side of things for Blue Moon MK2/HLS!

- New Glenn 7x2 return to flight expected by the end of this year.

- New Glenn 9x4 Vertical Integration Facility to be completed in Q1 2027

- Tons of BT-7 testing with delivery expected in Q1 2027 for Artemis III

- Blue Moon Mk1 Flight 1 NET Q1 2027

- Artemis III stack completion NET Q2 2027

- New Glenn 9x4 pad completion in Q3 and Flight 1 NET Q4 2027!!!

- Blue Moon Mk1 Flight 2 NET Q4 2027 with Flight 3 set right after in Q1 of 2028

- Unmanned Blue Moon Mk2 landing demonstraction Q1 2027

How does the internal transfer work at blue? Currently working ss Software engineer. What’s the process if I want to transfer to another team/org. Do I need to do full loop interview? Should I apply, interview then let my manager know?

Can anyone suggest decent work life balance in other teams or orgs.

Thanks