July 2025 Company Update

As development of Terran R continues to accelerate, July marked another month of meaningful progress across design, manufacturing, testing, and launch operations.

Design
In July, the team successfully completed 28 additional component-level Critical Design Reviews (CDRs). Notably, 351 thrust structure fluids components were finalized and released this month ahead of integrated assembly.

Build
Following completion of the second stage tank weldment, focus has shifted toward completing the thrust structure assembly and progressing weld operations on the first stage tank. The thrust structure panels have been mated and are undergoing torque operations, and subassemblies for both avionics and fluids systems are advancing in parallel to maintain tight alignment across the vehicle’s build sequence.

A first stage fuel barrel has been loaded onto the circumferential friction stir welder, in preparation for tank welding. Two additional first stage barrels have also been welded and are currently in mechanical assembly. The factory floor is now populated with large-scale primary structures – visible progress that reflects the broader transition from design to build. 

In engine production, 92% of printed components for the 13 first stage engines for first flight are now complete and the first set of flight turbopumps has been assembled. The team has already begun printing propulsion hardware for flight 2 and beyond, laying the foundation for high-volume production.

Test
July marked the completion of the Aeon R first stage engine qualification campaign, a major milestone for the Terran R program. The engine has now accumulated sufficient run time to validate expected flight performance, including start cycles, duration, inlet conditions, and throttle and gimbal profiles.

At our dual-bay test stand at NASA Stennis, a development article of the second stage vacuum engine was installed. Hot fire testing will begin soon.

Meanwhile, infrastructure upgrades are progressing on the A2 test stand to support upcoming stage-level testing. The first liquid oxygen (LOX) manifold pipe was welded into place, and a 10-megawatt electrical upgrade was completed – both critical enablers for future stage testing.

The A2 stand has a storied legacy, testing and flight-certifying the second stage of Saturn V during the Apollo program, and later supporting engine testing for the Space Shuttle and Constellation programs. After nearly a decade of inactivity, we are revitalizing the stand to support Terran R stage testing. 

In Long Beach, flight hardware acceptance testing (ATP) has officially commenced. The stage 2 downcomer completed axial pull and pressure proof ATP, ahead of integration into the tank. 

Launch
In Cape Canaveral, we are continuing the construction of LC-16, with ongoing work on the horizontal integration facility and launch mount. This month, we started fabricating the water tower and completed installation of deep foundations and pedestals for all the large horizontal propellant tanks. 

With progress accelerating across every discipline, July brought the Terran R program one step closer to first flight. Just as importantly, the integration of hardware, test infrastructure, and manufacturing capabilities is laying the foundation for scalable, repeatable access to orbit.