In an email to employees, the company’s chief executive said the company had become bloated during its growth in recent years.

Blue Origin, one of the US' largest private space companies, is looking to cut costs, trim manager ranks and focus resources on ramping up rocket launches.

Blue Origin, the SpaceX competitor founded and funded by Jeff Bezos, is cutting 10 percent of its employees or about 1,400 people, according to The Seattle Times and CNN. Staff were informed of the news by Blue Origin CEO Dave Limp,