August 2026 Company Update
August marked another month of strong execution across the Terran R program, with all engines installed onto the thrust structure and stage testing advancing at NASA Stennis. Here's a look at what the team accomplished.
Design
Throughout the month, the team released 1,099 flight parts. Design engineers are in the final stretch of flight one assembly releases, with remaining work focused on mechanisms, avionics, and fluids.
Build
On the factory floor, all 13 flight one sea-level Aeon R engines were handed off to the thrust structure integration team. Ahead of installation, the thrust structure was moved onto the breakover stand, where technicians installed all 13 engines. Each engine produces 269,000 pounds-force (1,197 kilonewtons) of sea level thrust, for a combined liftoff thrust of 3,497,000 pounds-force (15,559 kilonewtons). Custom ground equipment was used to precisely position each engine for installation and will also be used to rotate the fully integrated thrust structure into position for mate with stage one.
Stage one structural integration continued with several milestones. Installation of all nominal joiners and external stringers is approaching completion, and critical raceway hardware completed laser tracking and began moving into installation.
On the interstage, both the aft and forward barrels received their painted livery before being stacked to form the full structure. Fluid doubler and bracket installation is now underway.
Engine manufacturing for future flights continues, demonstrating the ability to scale parallel production. All first and second stage barrels for flight two are complete, and the team completed the first circumferential friction stir welds (CFSW) for the flight two first stage tank. Production for flight three has begun, with panel fabrication more than halfway complete.
Test
After its successful cryoproof and composite overwrapped pressure vessel (COPV) proof campaign, the stage two tank was rolled back into the hangar at NASA Stennis and is now undergoing post-cryoproof inspections ahead of Aeon V engine installation.
In parallel, the team is readying the A2 test stand for upcoming hot fire operations. At the liquid oxygen (LOX) farm, key system flushes and heat exchanger (HEX) activations are complete, and diverter riser piping is being installed. Additions are also underway to accommodate future stage one operations, including delivery of the stage one load head assembly and installation of the lower section of the access tower. On the R stand, acceptance testing of Aeon R engines for flight two is underway.
Back in Long Beach, the stage one downcomer completed its acceptance test (ATP) campaign. A critical component that delivers liquid oxygen from the tank to the engines, it was handed off to the mechanical assembly installation team for integration.
Launch
At Cape Canaveral, infrastructure work continues across the launch site, advancing key systems and facilities for launch and recovery operations. At the pad, flame diverter installation is underway, a critical system designed to direct the intense heat, exhaust, and acoustic energy generated during launch away from the vehicle and surrounding infrastructure. Launch table steel construction is progressing alongside work on the liquid natural gas (LNG) tank farm and lightning protection system (LPS), where a newly assembled crane raised the first sections of the tower. The horizontal integration facility (HIF) is being outfitted, and the transporter erector (TE) upper strongback continues to take shape. The engineering support building (ESB) opened this month, with teams moving in and standing up operations ahead of the next phase of launch site activation.
With engines installed in the thrust structure, stage two heading toward hot fire, and launch infrastructure continuing to advance, August set the stage for what's ahead. Stay tuned for more next month!