Starfighters Secures NASA RFI MOU for Falcon 50 Parabolic Microgravity Flights
Starfighters Space signed an MOU with Mu-G Technologies to respond to NASA’s Armstrong RFI for parabolic microgravity flights using a modified Dassault Falcon 50 at Midland International. The offering spans microgravity, reduced and hyper-gravity and supersonic regimes with F-104 support, positioning the company for U.S. federal procurement of microgravity services.
1. MOU for NASA Parabolic Flight RFI
Starfighters Space signed an MOU with Mu-G Technologies to jointly submit a response to the NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center Request for Information. The collaboration aims to rebuild U.S. commercial microgravity capabilities by hosting Mu-G’s Dassault Falcon 50 at Midland International.
2. Falcon 50 Modification and Flight Regimes
Under the agreement, the Falcon 50 will be modified and FAA-certified to conduct parabolic flights delivering microgravity, reduced gravity and hyper-gravity profiles. Starfighters will supplement these services with supersonic test flights using its F-104 fleet, plus ground support, chase planes and data collection.
3. U.S. Microgravity Market Opportunity
NASA’s RFI seeks novel, non-traditional flight platforms to fill the gap left by the last domestic microgravity operator. Demand from pharma, materials science and aerospace engineering sectors drives market growth, with commercial clients leveraging parabolic profiles for drug crystallization, alloy solidification studies and sensor testing.
4. Starfighters' Partnerships and Leadership
Starfighters has existing revenue missions for Lockheed Martin, Space Florida and U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, and recently appointed two Blue Origin engineers to lead its STARLAUNCH operations. CEO Tim Franta joined in February 2026, bringing nearly thirty years of Space Coast aerospace experience.