STARLAUNCH 1 Wind Tunnel Campaign Reaches Successful Completion

Starfighters Space has concluded a series of subsonic and supersonic wind tunnel tests for its STARLAUNCH 1 vehicle, marking a significant step in the maturation of the company’s air‑launch architecture. The campaign focused on validating clean separation between the rocket and the company’s supersonic aircraft platform, a requirement that underpins any operational air‑launched system.

The test series evaluated separation behavior at Mach 0.85 and Mach 1.3 using both computational fluid dynamics modeling and physical wind tunnel measurements. Across all conditions, the vehicle demonstrated stable, predictable separation with no adverse aerodynamic interactions. For aerospace engineers and program managers, this alignment between simulation and experimental data represents a meaningful reduction in technical risk as the program moves toward flight‑test hardware.

Test Results Reinforce Aerodynamic Modeling

The campaign included ten runs conducted at subsonic and supersonic speeds. Measured forces and moments closely matched the company’s CFD predictions, strengthening confidence in the fidelity of STARLAUNCH 1’s aerodynamic models. Testing took place at the FAMU and FSU Joint College of Engineering Polysonic Wind Tunnel, a facility frequently used for early‑stage aerodynamic validation across the industry.

With this phase complete, Starfighters has begun procuring instrumented drop‑test articles. These units will incorporate onboard sensors and telemetry to support upcoming flight‑based separation evaluations, a standard progression for programs transitioning from analytical work to physical demonstrations.

Role of STARLAUNCH 1 in Air‑Launch and Microgravity Missions

STARLAUNCH 1 is being developed as a suborbital platform capable of supporting short‑duration microgravity missions. The vehicle also serves as a pathfinder for future air‑launched concepts, including potential applications in hypersonic research and rapid‑access testing. The company’s broader service portfolio includes supersonic flight operations, payload integration, and support for advanced aerospace development programs.

About Starfighters Space

Starfighters Space operates a fleet of modified supersonic aircraft from the NASA Kennedy Space Center. The company provides high‑speed flight services, air‑launch support, research operations, and training activities. Its aircraft are configured to carry payloads to altitudes up to 45,000 feet, enabling a range of commercial and government test missions.