Blue Origin, the space company founded by Jeff Bezos, has won a contract to supply its next-generation engines for the massive rocket United Launch Alliance (ULA) is developing, a person familiar with the negotiations told CNBC.
The company's BE-4 engine, the thunderous staple of Blue Origin's propulsion business, will power ULA's Vulcan rocket: A new heavy lift vehicle being built to compete with SpaceX for lucrative commercial and military contracts. ULA – a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin created in 2006 – will announce the deal on Thursday, the person said.
Blue Origin and ULA did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Bezos is investing heavily in Blue Origin, pouring about $1 billion of his Amazon stock into the rocket venture each year. In a speech Sept. 19, Bezos said he plans to invest another $1 billion next year into the company's New Glenn rocket, which BE-4 will power.
The Wall Street Journal first reported the contract win.
This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
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