Specialized Solutions: Hauling a Rocket’s Engine

In order to test the rocket engine, the BE-4 needed to move from Seattle, Washington to Blue Origin’s testing facility in West Texas. For the first-ever move of the engine, Blue Origin turned to independent Landstar Agent Mike Meyer and his staff at TLG Transport (LMC), who have a reputation for making big proprietary moves happen.

“There was some information for this load that couldn’t be publicized,” says Landstar Agent Mike Meyer.

“Details like when it would be transported. The customer didn’t want the public knowing when it would be traveling down the road.”

So the BE-4 engine was carefully secured in a specialized, pre-constructed 20-foot canister provided by Blue Origin that would fit on a Conestoga trailer.

Meyer and his team have over 25 years of experience managing high-value, confidential freight. Once they were selected for the business, they began the search for the right Landstar independent owner-operators to haul the valuable cargo.

Mike Meyer:

“The owner-operators had to be Arms Ammunition and Explosives (AA&E) qualified. They had to have an excellent record of service, the right equipment, experience and availability to move this load.”

Landstar owner-operators David and Karen Puckett, who leased on with Landstar in 2013, met all the criteria. The Pucketts worked as a team with Meyer’s agency and the customer to make the historic move happen. The delivery to Blue Origin’s testing facility was the first transport of the full-sized BE-4 rocket engine, and it was a successful one.

“This is certainly a landmark accomplishment for Blue Origin and Landstar,” says Meyer.

“After this initial move, our agency was chosen to provide the transport for all of Blue Origin’s engines. The company expects the engines to be an integral part of the next generation of space flight for satellites, exploration and eventually manned space flight.”

Since the first BE-4 move, Blue Origin has turned to Landstar’s expertise – Meyer’s agency and the experienced, qualified owner-operators – to haul more than 100 loads.

“We now service a significant amount of Blue Origin’s transportation needs. As Blue Origin grows, we are proud to be the transportation provider they turn to for solutions to their unique needs,” says Meyer.

Learn more about Landstar and what they can offer you.