Starfighters and Vaya Team Up on Hypersonic Testing and Air-Launch Propulsion
Event summary
- Starfighters Space and Vaya Defense & Space signed an MOU on September 9, 2026, to collaborate on supersonic captive-carry flight testing and air-launch propulsion.
- The partnership includes two tracks: hypersonic test article flights using Starfighters' F-104 aircraft and assessing Vaya's hybrid propulsion for Starfighters' STARLAUNCH® system.
- Both companies are located on Florida’s Space Coast, with facilities only miles apart, enabling faster hardware development and testing.
- Starfighters will have access to Vaya’s propulsion lab and precision machining facility for engineering collaboration and flight hardware development.
The big picture
This collaboration between Starfighters and Vaya highlights the growing trend of partnerships in the aerospace and defense sectors to accelerate technology development and reduce costs. The combination of Starfighters’ unique flight capabilities and Vaya’s innovative propulsion technology could create a competitive edge in the hypersonic and air-launch markets. The proximity of their facilities on Florida’s Space Coast further enhances the potential for rapid prototyping and testing, making this a strategic alliance worth monitoring.
What we're watching
- Technical Integration
- How the technical integration of Vaya’s hybrid propulsion with Starfighters’ STARLAUNCH® system will progress and whether it can meet the requirements for suborbital missions.
- Market Positioning
- Whether this collaboration will strengthen Starfighters’ position in the hypersonic testing market and Vaya’s role in the defense and space propulsion sector.
- Regulatory Compliance
- The pace at which the companies can navigate regulatory hurdles and secure necessary approvals for flight testing and air-launch operations.