May 2026 Company Update

May brought a major milestone for the Terran R program, with the integrated second stage departing Long Beach and beginning its journey to NASA Stennis. Across the company, teams continued advancing work across design, build, test, and launch.

Design
This month, 1,455 flight parts were released, supporting continued progress toward first stage integration. Engineers released components designs for first stage avionics, harnesses, and fluids, unlocking downstream manufacturing and integration activities.

Build
Teams finalized second stage integration, including installation of fluids systems, brackets, avionics, harnesses, valves, raceway hardware, and other key vehicle subsystems before preparing the stage for transport. After assembling transport fixtures, installing adapters, wrapping the vehicle, and performing final checkouts, the stage left the factory and transited to the Port of Long Beach, where it was loaded onto a sea vessel and began its journey to NASA Stennis. The milestone reflects highly coordinated efforts across design, manufacturing, integration, logistics, quality, and operations – and marks the beginning of the next phase of the Terran R program.

On the thrust structure, integration continues with installation of the first outer engine liquid oxygen (LOX) and fuel feedlines. Aeon R engines are also being prepared for thrust structure integration as they return from acceptance testing (ATP). 

Both interstage barrels continue through mechanical assembly, with fit-up and pilot hole transfer nearing completion. The aft barrel moved to the vertical turning lathe (VTL) for tooling trim and raceway cutout machining ahead of final assembly. 

On the stage one qualification article, structural work is nearing completion. Integration activities continued with installation of stringer joiners and doublers, and the downcomer completed acceptance testing and was installed alongside the LOX lid. 

Test
Preparations for stage one qualification testing continued throughout the month. The aft test adapter was machined and installed on the qualification barrel while test stand readiness progressed. The team finalized the test matrix and load cases for the qualification campaign and held a test readiness review (TRR). Test stand actuators are being tuned and the crawler crane has been assembled ahead of hardware delivery and testing. 

At NASA Stennis, Aeon R acceptance testing continues at pace. Teams completed the Aeon V second stage engine qualification campaign, hitting key service life, duration, and start milestones for flight one. 

Final preparations for second stage testing continued on the A2 stage test stand. Ground support equipment, data and control systems, and stand infrastructure advanced in parallel to support upcoming operations. 

The team completed initial startup of the environmental control system (ECS), while the fluids team performed a LOX flush on the top deck to validate system integrity prior to propellant load operations. To date, more than 11,000 welds have been completed on the stand. 

The drawbridge for stage two testing was installed, the lower aft test adapter was delivered, and the diverter continued through final preparations ahead of delivery. Teams also completed initial fitment and laser tracking of the hold-down clevis, a critical component required for hold-down assembly installation. At the nearby hangar, the roof was installed ahead of the upcoming crane installation. 

Launch
At Launch Complex 16 (LC-16) in Cape Canaveral, the water tower reached its final height of 305 feet (93 meters). Erection of the lightning protection systems (LPS) continued, marking the last major structures going vertical at the launch site. 

With structural work complete on the horizontal integration facility (HIF), teams shifted focus toward outfitting activities. A 220,000 pound (99.8 metric ton) bridge crane was installed in the cleanroom portion of the HIF, while installation of the north exterior door was completed. Ductwork installation and office outfitting continued progressing in parallel.

Construction also progressed on the mid-deck portion of the launch table, and concrete was poured for the approach road. On the transporter erector, installation of upper strongback fluid brackets continued alongside pipe pre-fabrication activities. Waterproofing of the pad support facility (PSF) was completed following spray foam insulation. Together, these efforts continue advancing launch site readiness and supporting future launch operations.

As integrated flight hardware begins moving downstream, the Terran R program is transitioning into a new phase. Stay tuned for more progress on the path to launch!