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Jet-Powered Space Launch Gets New Leadership
7 May
Summary
- Starfighters Space hired former Blue Origin managers for air-launch system.
- New hires will advance the air-launch system toward flight demonstrations.
- Company awaits regulatory approval for its first suborbital mission.
Starfighters Space has appointed two former Blue Origin New Glenn managers, Jose Arias and Catrina Medeiros, to accelerate its air-launch system development. Arias, now vice president of space operations, previously led process improvements at Blue Origin, significantly reducing integration cycle times.
Medeiros, appointed director of operations for Starlaunch, managed operations for Blue Origin's New Glenn Stage 2 program and previously worked on NASA's Orion crew module at Lockheed Martin. These hires are intended to leverage their expertise in scaling aerospace operations from development to sustained execution.
The Cape Canaveral-based company is currently awaiting regulatory approval for its initial suborbital mission, originally slated for late 2025. This demonstration is crucial for validating the Starlaunch platform's architecture, which utilizes a fleet of supersonic F-104 jets to release payloads at altitude.
Starfighters is also focused on overcoming regulatory hurdles, including FAA financial responsibility requirements like insurance for the public. The company is experiencing demand for its responsive flight access, hypersonic testing, and flexible launch capabilities across various sectors.
Currently, Starfighters' business relies on training and research-support activities with its F-104 aircraft fleet, which has historically operated at break-even or a loss. The company is also exploring broader business opportunities, including a recent partnership with Mu-G Technologies for microgravity flight services.
