“Blue Origin today announced it will pause its New Shepard flights and shift resources to further accelerate development of the company’s human lunar capabilities,” the company said in a statement. “The decision reflects Blue Origin’s commitment to the nation’s goal of returning to the Moon and establishing a permanent, sustained lunar presence.”

Blue Origin is involved in NASA’s Artemis programme, which aims to return astronauts to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years as a foundation for missions to Mars.

Blue Origin has been offering short trips for space tourists since 2021.

Earlier, Blue Origin announced TeraWave, a new satellite communications network designed to provide high speed internet connections across the globe.