Starfighters Space Initiates CDR After Wind Tunnel Tests for STARLAUNCH 1
After successful subsonic and supersonic wind tunnel tests validating clean separation, Starfighters Space is entering Critical Design Review for its STARLAUNCH 1 rocket design with GE Aerospace support to confirm design maturity and readiness. The review precedes procurement of an instrumented demonstrator for underwing flight tests of separation dynamics.
1. Advancement to Critical Design Review
After completing subsonic and supersonic wind tunnel testing that validated clean separation, Starfighters Space is entering a Critical Design Review for its STARLAUNCH 1 design. GE Aerospace will support the review to confirm design maturity and guide the program into its next build and test planning phase.
2. Focus Areas of CDR
The Critical Design Review will assess the vehicle’s design baseline, interfaces with the carrier aircraft, configuration control, manufacturability and verification plans. Key evaluation points include the sequence from ground validation and drop testing to final flight evaluations.
3. Next Phase Demonstrator Procurement
Starfighters has initiated procurement of an instrumented demonstrator vehicle to be flown underwing, enabling in-flight evaluation of separation dynamics. This step aims to de-risk the air-launch process and validate computational models under real flight conditions.
4. Strategic Context and Future Outlook
STARLAUNCH 1 is a sub-orbital vehicle designed for short-duration microgravity missions and serves as a pathfinder for future air-launched payloads. Success in this program strengthens Starfighters’ fleet-based MACH 2+ launch capabilities and expands its aerospace testing services.