Starfighters Space Inc. (NYSE American: FJET) announced a partnership with Blackstar Orbital to conduct flight testing of reusable hypersonic space systems using Starfighters' F-104 aircraft fleet.

The collaboration centers on a Technical Interchange Agreement for integrating Blackstar's SpaceDrone vehicle with Starfighters' supersonic aircraft platform. The program aims to advance the system from simulation to real-world flight testing through supersonic captive carries scheduled for the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2026.

Testing will culminate with a high-altitude, supersonic release in the Eastern Range off Florida's Atlantic Coast, modeling the post-reentry flight trajectory of Blackstar's microshuttle platform.

Blackstar Orbital develops a lifting-body SpaceDrone designed to operate as a reusable, hypersonic satellite that launches as a payload and returns to Earth like a spaceplane. The partnership enables early-stage aerodynamic validation and progressive flight testing of the system.

Starfighters has provided a specialized BL75 pylon to serve as the structural interface between the F-104 and the SpaceDrone. Testing will begin with underwing captive carry flights to validate aerodynamic performance against simulation and wind tunnel models before progressing to high-speed release tests over ocean ranges.

"This partnership highlights the role Starfighters plays in bridging the gap between concept and flight for next-generation aerospace systems," said Tim Franta, CEO of Starfighters Space.

Christopher Jannette, CEO of Blackstar Orbital, stated that access to Starfighters' flight test platform allows the company to accelerate development of its SpaceDrone system.

The agreement establishes a framework for ongoing collaboration, with both companies expecting the relationship to evolve into broader flight services engagement as testing progresses.