TAMPA, Fla. - Starfighters Space, the company turning F-104 supersonic jets into satellite launch vehicles, has decided to also dabble in microgravity flight testing, because why limit yourself to just one extreme environment? The Florida-based firm said May 20 it's expanding its partnership with Mu-G Technologies to test a modified Dassault Falcon 50 at its hangar at Midland International Air & Space Port, in response to NASA's call for information on commercial parabolic capabilities.

The two companies first teamed up in March to chase microgravity missions for NASA, academic, and commercial research customers across North America, either via dedicated parabolic aircraft or by integrating Mu-G's monitoring systems with Starfighters' F-104 fleet. This all follows a NASA Armstrong Flight Research Center request for information (RFI) on commercial parabolic flight capabilities - because NASA, ever the thorough shopper, wants to know who's serious about making things float.

"By bringing Mu-G's Falcon 50 into our Midland facility, we are creating a single location where researchers and customers will be able to access both microgravity and supersonic test environments," said Starfighters CEO Tim Franta, sounding like a man who just built a theme park for physics enthusiasts. "Responding jointly to NASA's RFI is the next step in building that offering into something the agency and the broader research community can rely on."

Under a memorandum of understanding, Starfighters will provide ground maintenance, chase-plane and data collection services, pilot integration, and safety and regulatory alignment as the venture works toward FAA certification for commercial missions. Because nothing says 'reliable' like a company that's still waiting for its own regulatory approval for its debut suborbital mission - the one that's supposed to lay the groundwork for Starlaunch, which would use F-104 jets as first-stage boosters for payloads released at altitude.

The company plans to develop orbital launch infrastructure after a successful suborbital flight, it said in its first quarterly financial results since going public. Those results, released May 20, show no revenue for the three months ending March 31, alongside about $4.1 million in operating expenses and a $4.3 million net loss. Starfighters had about $1.4 million in cash as of March 31, and warns that its continued existence depends on obtaining debt or equity financing before it starts generating positive cash flow. In other words, they're betting on the come.

Historically, Starfighters has made money using its seven F-104s for training and research support. "In the past we have concentrated on high-gs, high-altitude and had clients who required negative gs," Franta told SpaceNews via email, but with Mu-G "we can look to provide full services for [all] g requirements." So now they're covering the entire g-spectrum, from 'ouch' to 'whee.'

Franta says interest in microgravity research and in-space manufacturing has accelerated significantly, driven by government programs and a growing commercial ecosystem. "As demand expands, there's a need for more flexible platforms that can support testing, training and technology development in microgravity environments," he added. One reason NASA is seeking info is to identify serious providers - "As of today, it is highly limited," Franta noted, which is corporate-speak for 'we're all each other has.'

What sets Starfighters apart? "The ability to leverage a unique operational aviation platform alongside a team experienced in designing and supporting microgravity missions," Franta said. That, and a couple of new hires: Starfighters recently brought on two former Blue Origin New Glenn managers to help move Starlaunch and related flight programs from development to operations. Because if you're going to fail, fail with experienced people.