Starfighters Space Blasts Onto NYSE with Supersonic Jet Strategy

NEW YORK, NY – December 18, 2025 – Starfighters Space, Inc., an aerospace firm with a novel approach to orbital access, made its public debut on the NYSE American exchange today under the ticker symbol “FJET.” The company, which operates the world's largest commercial fleet of supersonic aircraft from NASA's Kennedy Space Center, successfully raised an aggregate of $40 million to fuel its ambitious plans for sub-orbital satellite launches.

Trading commenced at 10:30 a.m. EST, with shares offered at a price of $3.59. The stock concluded its inaugural trading session at the same price, marking a stable entry into the public markets. The capital infusion is earmarked for advancing research and development, scaling operations, and accelerating the company’s flagship STARLAUNCH I and STARLAUNCH II programs, which aim to deploy small satellites from its fleet of modified F-104 Starfighter jets.

A Vintage Approach to the New Space Race

At the heart of Starfighters' strategy is a unique blend of Cold War-era aviation and modern space-faring ambition. The company has repurposed a fleet of iconic F-104 Starfighters, jets renowned for their ability to sustain speeds over Mach 2, as reusable, piloted first-stage launch platforms. This air-launch system involves an F-104 carrying a payload-equipped rocket to an altitude of approximately 45,000 feet before releasing it for its journey to space.

This method offers potential advantages over traditional vertical ground launches, including greater mission flexibility, reduced weather constraints, and the inherent reusability of the F-104 aircraft. The company is developing two main systems: STARLAUNCH I, designed for sub-orbital deployment of micro-satellites, and STARLAUNCH II, which targets low Earth orbit for small satellites. Both programs are currently in development, with engineering partner GE Aerospace's Innoveering division having recently completed the external skin design for the StarLaunch I test vehicle.

Operating from the historic former space shuttle landing facility at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Starfighters has positioned itself at the nexus of America's space legacy and its commercial future. The company asserts that with over 2,600 F-104s produced historically, a steady supply of parts and expertise exists to maintain the fleet through its projected lifespan to 2035.

From Crowdfunding to Wall Street

Starfighters' journey to the NYSE is as unconventional as its technology. The company has become the first space enterprise to transition from a Regulation A Tier 2 offering to a major national stock exchange. This specific fundraising pathway, part of the JOBS Act, allows smaller companies to raise capital from both accredited and non-accredited investors, effectively democratizing access to early-stage investment opportunities. For its Reg A offering, Starfighters set a minimum investment of just $718.

This successful transition signals strong investor appetite for the burgeoning 'New Space' economy and validates the company’s distinctive business model. In the press release, CEO and Founder Rick Svetkoff, a former U.S. Navy pilot, highlighted the significance of the move.

“With FJET officially trading later today, Starfighters has become the first space company to transition from a Regulation A Tier 2 offering to listing on the NYSE,” said Svetkoff. “We believe our successful listing signals a proven belief in the value of this industry and the appetite from investors for forward-thinking companies like ours capable of pushing the boundaries of what is possible in low earth orbit.”

Navigating a Crowded Sky

While the company has secured a major financial and symbolic victory, it enters a competitive and challenging market. The global small satellite sector is projected to explode in value, with some estimates predicting it will grow from around $8.45 billion in 2024 to over $25 billion by 2033. Starfighters is not aiming to compete with launch giants like SpaceX or Blue Origin, but rather to carve out a niche in the cost-effective, rapid-deployment segment for smaller payloads.

However, scaling its operations presents significant hurdles. Recent financial data indicates the company is operating with a negative EBITDA of $5.6 million and a low current ratio, metrics that can suggest liquidity challenges as it works to commercialize its technology. The $40 million raised is critical to bridging this gap from development to revenue generation.

To mitigate risk and build its business, Starfighters is cultivating multiple revenue streams beyond satellite launches. The F-104 fleet serves as a valuable platform for hypersonic Research and Development (R&D) and Test and Evaluation (T&E). The company already counts GE Aerospace, Lockheed Martin, and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory as partners. In a recent milestone, Starfighters provided the testbed aircraft for GE Aerospace’s captive-carry flight tests of a new solid-fuel ramjet, demonstrating the F-104’s utility as a flying laboratory for next-generation hypersonic technology.

Looking ahead, Svetkoff expressed a clear focus for the newly acquired capital. “We are laser focused on preparing our STARLAUNCH platforms to address the backlog of customer orders, begin launches out of Texas and grow our hypersonic R&D/T&E platform to unlock additional revenues streams and continue scaling our business.” The company is targeting its first commercial launch by late 2025, a goal contingent on funding and pending regulatory approvals. With fresh capital and a proven flight platform, Starfighters Space is now poised to see if its vintage jets can deliver a futuristic vision.