November 2025 Company Update
Throughout November, the Terran R program made key advancements across design, build, test, and launch operations.
Design
As the program continues to mature, we are releasing larger groups of parts through our design sprints. In November, we released 1,602 parts, unlocking downstream manufacturing and moving us closer to first flight. We are also designing with Terran R’s long-term roadmap in mind, completing the Block 2 vehicle conceptual design review (CoDR) this month. Our block-upgrade strategy provides a clear path for performance, manufacturability, and reusability enhancements that will increase flight cadence and reduce cost.
Build
In November, the team completed all circumferential friction stir welds for the first stage tank for first flight. Measuring 163 feet (49.7 meters) in length, the tank is composed of eight barrel sections and three domes, joined by ten circumferential welds. The tank will now move into integration. With both the first and second stage tanks finished, focus has shifted to the interstage. Vertical friction stir welding for both the forward and aft interstage barrels is now complete, including all stringer welds. The barrels will next progress to paint and mechanical integration. Progress on thrust structure integration continues, with heat shield system installation underway.
In propulsion, the team manufactured, assembled, and shipped two additional engines this month: one second stage Aeon V development engine and one first stage Aeon R flight engine.
The team also continued building out factory infrastructure to support high-rate production. Recent milestones include bringing additional CNC machines and powder bed fusion printers online in the expanded machine shop, installing a thrust structure breakover tool, and successfully proof-testing the composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) installation tool.
Following hardware integration of the thrust structure hardware-in-the-loop (HITL) test infrastructure, the HITL table has been handed over for software integration ahead of run-for-record (R4R) testing. Avionics work for the second stage HITL table build is also now underway.
Test
This month, the team lifted the second stage tank onto the structural test stand in Long Beach and successfully completed acceptance testing. The multi-week test campaign applied over 30 load cases, including pressure proofing and testing ground and flight loads, to verify workmanship of the tank structure and demonstrate positive strength and buckling margin to flight loads. The tank will now transition back to manufacturing for integration.
We also completed transonic and supersonic wind-tunnel testing for Terran R’s first-stage entry configuration, conducting more than 100 runs on a full first stage body model equipped with movable grid fins.
In propulsion, the team completed the first second stage Aeon V engine development test campaign, gathering critical data on startup conditions, suction margin, and stub-skirt performance. Acceptance testing for first stage Aeon R engines also continues to progress, with a second flight engine completing testing and another flight engine arriving on-site ahead of testing. At the component level, we conducted hot gas testing of the stage press valve to evaluate its performance under the demanding thermal transients expected during operation.
Infrastructure buildout at NASA Stennis also advanced this month. Foundation work is underway for a new hangar that will expand office, manufacturing, and stage-storage capacity. Nearby, development of ground support equipment for the A2 stage test stand continues, including installation of helium recovery storage tanks.
Launch
At Cape Canaveral, renovation of LC-16 continues across all areas of the site. The water tower tank has now been placed atop the downcomer and foundation legs, with final weldments underway. At the horizontal integration facility (HIF), siding now covers more than half the structure, exterior ladders, walkways, and stairs are installed, and the future overhead cranes have moved from the production floor. Cement work is progressing above grade on the launch mount’s retaining walls, and both lightning protection system towers have completed their structural and foundation work. At the LOX farm, three 170,000-gallon (643,520 liter) tanks were delivered and installed. In addition, LC-16’s high-power electrical distribution system has officially transitioned from Terran 1 to Terran R architecture.
Alongside continued technical execution, we also announced a multi-launch agreement with global satellite operator SES. These additional Terran R missions supporting SES’s GEO and MEO satellites will further expand access to orbit and strengthen global connectivity.