Stoked Space Stays Heads-Down on Engine Development

While Stoked Space hasn’t made headlines with big announcements this month, the company remains diligently focused on hardware development for its Nova rocket. Recent activity from the company’s social media channels reveals progress on key propulsion systems, including the Zenith engine. On February 5, 2026, Stoked shared a video showcasing the Zenith engine’s fuel pump suction performance, noting that testing of the turbomachinery remains “so far, so good.”

Earlier in January, the company hosted Tim Dodd—better known as Everyday Astronaut—at its Moses Lake, Washington, test facility. Footage from that visit, released in multiple posts between January 8 and 28, highlighted both the Zenith and Andromeda engines, offering a rare glimpse into Stoked’s ground testing infrastructure. The company also emphasized its work on software tools, notably BoltlineApp, a platform developed internally to manage complex hardware projects, which Stoked co-founder Andy Lapsa discussed with Dodd during the tour.

Another critical milestone came on January 23, when Stoked shared a test of its Flight Termination System (FTS)—a crucial component of Nova’s Autonomous Flight Safety System (AFSS). The FTS is designed to monitor the rocket’s trajectory in real time and autonomously command termination if the vehicle deviates from preset safety limits. Though no upcoming launch dates have been announced, these incremental validations suggest the company is methodically advancing toward its orbital debut.

For Canadian readers, there’s no direct link to Stoked Space this month—no Canadian payloads, partnerships, or personnel mentioned. But for those following the new entrants in the small launch market, Stoked’s steady progress is worth watching, especially as it builds out its engine and vehicle test capabilities in the U.S. Pacific Northwest.

Firefly’s Alpha Block II Prepares for Flight 8

Firefly Aerospace is moving full speed ahead with its Alpha rocket upgrade, announcing a Block II configuration set to debut on Flight 8. The company says the changes—ranging from structural reinforcements to in-house avionics—are designed to boost reliability, streamline manufacturing, and support responsive national security and commercial missions. Flight 7, expected to launch “in the coming weeks” from Vandenberg Space Force Base, will serve as a testbed for several Block II subsystems operating in “shadow mode” to gather flight heritage before full implementation.

Key upgrades include lengthening the rocket from 97 to 104 feet, strengthening carbon composite structures using automated fibre placement, and optimizing propellant tanks for better thermal protection and longer burn times. Firefly also plans to replace off-the-shelf batteries and avionics with consolidated, internally developed systems—improving both schedule certainty and production efficiency. As CEO Jason Kim stated, the Block II represents “a culture of continuous improvement” informed by data from six prior Alpha launches and hundreds of hardware tests.

Firefly’s lunar ambitions also remain in the spotlight. On January 15, the company marked the anniversary of its Blue Ghost lunar lander’s launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, sharing nostalgic images of the mission. The lander, which successfully touched down on the Moon, earned Firefly both the AAS Space Technology Award and an Astro Award in January—a rare double honour that highlights the company’s growing credibility in deep space operations.

While no Canadian involvement has been disclosed in these recent developments, Firefly’s emphasis on responsive launch and international collaboration could eventually open doors for Canadian payloads, particularly in Earth observation—a domain where Canada has significant expertise. For now, Canadian space watchers can appreciate Firefly’s engineering pragmatism: fix what’s broken, fly smarter, and keep building.

Relativity Space Advances Toward Terran R Integration

Relativity Space is deep in the build phase for its next-generation Terran R rocket, with January 2026 marking a surge in hardware production and test activity. According to the company’s December 2025 program update—released January 12—the team has released 1,526 flight parts and is progressing across all major vehicle systems, from tanks to thrust structures.

At its Long Beach facility, the Stage 2 tank has completed acceptance testing and returned for integration, including installation of composite overwrapped pressure vessels (COPVs). The Stage 1 downcomer, now 57 feet (17.4 metres) long, is nearing completion, and work has already begun on the thrust structure for Flight 2, signaling Relativity’s intent to scale beyond its maiden launch. Propulsion development is also accelerating: six Aeon R and Aeon V engines were on-site at NASA’s Stennis Space Center in Mississippi on a single day, with two first-stage flight engines cleared for use and second-stage engine testing ongoing.

Meanwhile, construction at Launch Complex 16 (LC-16) in Cape Canaveral continues apace. Teams have poured above-ground concrete for the launch mount, installed siding on the horizontal integration facility, and begun erecting the engineering support building, which will eventually house up to 150 personnel. The company describes 2026 as a “defining year” as it moves from component fabrication to full vehicle integration and launch preparation.

No Canadian partnerships or payloads were noted in Relativity’s January updates. However, as Canada continues to expand its role in space robotics and satellite servicing—areas where Terran R’s high lift capacity could be relevant— future collaboration isn’t out of the question. For now, the company’s focus remains firmly on proving its fully 3D-printed, reusable launch vehicle can deliver on its ambitious promises.

Axiom Secures Fifth Private Mission and Refines Lunar Suit

Axiom Space has locked in its fifth private astronaut mission to the International Space Station, with NASA formally ordering Axiom Mission 5 (Ax-5) on January 30, 2026. The flight is targeted for no earlier than January 2027 and will launch from Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Crew Dragon. While the crew has not yet been announced, Ax-5 will continue Axiom’s trend of flying international astronauts—past missions have included first-time spaceflyers from Saudi Arabia, Turkey, India, Poland, and Hungary.

Since its first mission in 2022, Axiom has flown 14 astronauts and conducted over 160 microgravity research activities. The company highlighted its new partnership with Voyager Technologies, which will support payload integration on Ax-5—an expansion of its end-to-end mission services. “This award underscores Axiom Space’s commitment to redefining access to space,” said CEO Dr. Jonathan Cirtain.

Beyond ISS missions, Axiom continues work on its lunar ambitions. In late January, the company showcased its AxEMU spacesuit during a visit by NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman. The suit, designed for the Artemis III Moon landing, promises greater flexibility and safety for lunar south pole operations. Axiom also released updates on its Axiom Station thermal control system and orbital data centres (ODCs), with two ODC nodes recently launched on SpaceX’s “Twilight” mission—a step toward a commercial data infrastructure in low Earth orbit.

For Canadian readers, there’s a noteworthy connection: CSA astronaut Jeremy Hansen is training for the Artemis II mission, which will orbit the Moon using NASA’s Orion spacecraft. While Axiom isn’t directly involved in Artemis II, its AxEMU suit will be used on Artemis III and beyond—meaning Canadian astronauts on future lunar surface missions may one day wear Axiom-designed gear. Until then, Axiom’s growing role in commercial human spaceflight offers a compelling model for international participation in space.

Citations

• “Firefly Aerospace Announces Alpha Block II Configuration Upgrade for Flight 8” – https://fireflyspace.com/news/firefly-aerospace-announces-alpha-block-ii-configuration-upgrade-for-flight-8/
• “December 2025 Company Update” – https://www.relativityspace.com/press-release/2026/1/12/december-2025-company-update
• “NASA Selects Axiom Space for Fifth Private Astronaut Mission to International Space Station” – https://www.axiomspace.com/release/nasa-selects-axiom-space-for-fifth-private-astronaut-mission-to-international-space-station