In a rare behind-the-scenes look at high-performance flight operations, Starfighters Aerospace recently shared footage of a full supersonic flight conducted in their single-seat Lockheed F-104S Starfighter, filmed from the cockpit at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Over the past few years, Starfighters Aerospace has significantly expanded its training and flight operations at Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida. Operating a fleet of former Italian Air Force Lockheed/Aeritalia F-104 Starfighters, the company has secured a series of missions and collaborative agreements that have driven this increased activity. Headquartered at the Kennedy Space Center, Starfighters Space Inc. manages the world’s only commercial fleet capable of sustained Mach 2 flight and high-altitude payload deployment.
The video, narrated by Chief Pilot Piercarlo “Capone” Ciacchi and published on his own YouTube channel, offers viewers a glimpse into the incredible performance envelope of the legendary “missile with a man in it.” While much of the mission’s details remain classified, the footage provides a captivating look at the preparation, takeoff, high-speed cruise, and landing of the iconic jet.
This particular flight was notable for carrying a payload mounted under the left wing—part of a program covered by proprietary or restricted information. Due to the classified nature of the mission, external footage of the payload and portions of cockpit communications were withheld. Nevertheless, the video illustrates the complexity and precision required to operate the supersonic interceptor in modern aerospace testing.
From engine checks to stabilizer configuration and final takeoff clearance, the video captures radio communications with ground control, including coordination with Miami Center. The F-104 climbed to altitude before accelerating to speeds ranging between Mach 1.6 and Mach 2, depending on airspace availability. Despite the aircraft’s extraordinary speed and power, the mission was handled with controlled precision.
Throughout the flight, viewers are immersed in cockpit audio, instrument panel readouts, and the rhythmic callouts of “heat”—a nod to the jet’s thermal conditions under high-speed performance. The mission was carefully timed, with the pilot monitoring fuel margins and preparing for a precise approach to runway 31. On final, speeds were managed down to 200 knots, and the touchdown was smooth, followed by taxi and shutdown.
Ciacchi briefly noted the possibility of another sortie later in the day, contingent on ground preparations and refueling. As the cockpit canopy opened post-landing, the pilot reflected on a “pretty good flight,” pleased to finally share a glimpse of the speeds and performance the F-104 is still capable of achieving.
While much of Starfighters Aerospace’s work remains confidential, their ongoing efforts represent the cutting edge of high-speed flight testing. The F-104A ASA-M remains a formidable platform—its sleek silhouette and supersonic capabilities continuing to play a role in specialized aerospace development missions. For aviation enthusiasts, this rare footage is a reminder of the enduring legacy and ongoing relevance of Cold War-era technology adapted for 21st-century applications. To read our previous articles, click HERE.
