In December 2025, Starfighter Aerospace Inc. announced the completion of its Regulation A Initial Public Offering, raising $40 million through the sale of more than 11 million shares of common stock. The milestone positions the Florida-based company — which operates a fleet of supersonic F-104 Starfighters from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center — to expand its STARLAUNCH programs and meet growing global demand for commercial satellite and payload launches.
On Friday, February 20, 2026, the New York Stock Exchange welcomed Starfighters Space (NYSE American: FJET) to the podium. To honor the occasion, Tim Franta, Director and Vice President of Development, rang The Opening Bell®. The ceremony marked a significant milestone for Starfighters Space and reflected the company’s continued growth and expanding role in the commercial space sector.
Seventy-two years after its first flight on March 4, 1954, one of Kelly Johnson’s most iconic designs — the Lockheed F-104 Starfighter — continues to operate at the cutting edge of aerospace development. Despite the persistent rhetoric surrounding the aircraft, largely driven by early accidents within the German Luftwaffe, the Starfighter proved highly effective in the hands of properly trained and disciplined pilots who respected its demanding flight characteristics. In operational service, the F-104 achieved significant success and should be regarded as a classic Cold War fighter that helped protect NATO airspace for decades.
At a time when governments and commercial customers increasingly prioritize speed, responsiveness, and operational readiness in both space and defense capabilities, the F-104 platform offers a flight-proven, commercially available solution aligned with those evolving requirements. Starfighters Space states that it remains focused on disciplined execution and long-term value creation.
However, on February 23, the company announced that founder Rick Svetkoff had resigned as Chief Executive Officer, President, Chairman, and Director. The company’s board of directors appointed Tim Franta as Chief Executive Officer. In a press release, the company stated: “On behalf of the remaining board and management team, Starfighters Space thanks Rick Svetkoff for his visionary leadership and efforts in progressing Starfighters to its current stage of development and wishes him success in his future endeavors.” Vintage Aviation News will continue to follow developments as more information becomes available.
Rick “Comrade” Svetkoff has had a distinguished aviation career. After college, he joined the U.S. Navy in 1978 and flew the A-4 Skyhawk. Leaving the Navy in 1984, he began a second career as a Continental Airlines pilot before founding Starfighters in 1996. Over the years, Svetkoff flew airshows in former Royal Canadian Air Force CF-104 Starfighters and later developed a commercial operation providing research and development services to aerospace companies. He also acquired the ultimate development of the type, the F-104S, from the Italian Air Force after its retirement in 2004 ( although at least four airframes kept flying with the Reparto Sperimentale Volo until mid 2005).
Having known Rick Svetkoff for many years and having witnessed firsthand the passion and dedication he invested in keeping these iconic aircraft airworthy, I can only express my personal gratitude and appreciation for his vision and perseverance.
![TB-25N 44-30925 in the Belgian Aircraft Preservation Association’s workshop at Gembloux. [Photo courtesy BAPA]](https://vintageaviationnews.com/wp-content/uploads/BAPA-B-25-20230312-150x150.jpg "Catch-22 Star North American B-25 Mitchell Restoration Continues in Belgium 41")
