Blue Origin just announced a new stock option plan for employees after years of watching SpaceX and other rocket companies zoom past them. The Jeff Bezos-owned space company has struggled to keep up with competitors while losing key talent to rivals.
This move comes as Blue Origin tries to rebuild its reputation and workforce. While SpaceX has been launching astronauts and satellites regularly, Blue Origin has faced delays, leadership changes, and public criticism for moving too slowly in the commercial space race.
Catching Up to SpaceX
The timing isn’t random. Blue Origin recently lost a major NASA contract to SpaceX and has seen employees jump ship to competitors offering better compensation and faster-moving projects. Stock options are a common way tech companies attract and keep talented workers, especially when the company’s future success could make those options very valuable.
One industry insider described the move bluntly, calling it “a big fat middle finger for those that thought they had something” – likely referring to employees who left thinking the company had no future.
Blue Origin is betting that giving employees a stake in the company’s success will help them compete for talent with SpaceX, which has become the dominant player in commercial spaceflight. The company still has ambitious plans, including a lunar lander project and space tourism flights.
What’s Next
Expect Blue Origin to make more aggressive moves to catch up. The stock options signal they’re serious about competing, but they’ll need to prove they can actually deliver on their space projects to make those options worth anything.
