Tim Franta
CEO of Starfighters Space since February 2026, having joined as VP of Development in October 2022 to lead the STARLAUNCH program. Previously Deputy Director at Energy Florida, Cape Canaveral (2018-2022) and Director of Special Projects (2012-2018); earlier drafted space transportation policy as Chief of Staff for the Florida Space Authority and on Florida Legislature staff.
Tim Franta became CEO of Starfighters Space on February 23, 2026, succeeding founder Rick Svetkoff after the company's NYSE American listing. Starfighters Space operates the world's only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ F-104 supersonic jets, based at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, and is developing STARLAUNCH, an air-launched rocket system intended to deliver small satellites more flexibly than traditional heavy-lift rockets. As CEO, Franta has described the company's strategy as scaling aircraft utilization, advancing STARLAUNCH through engineering milestones, and broadening its commercial customer base beyond government clients.
Overview
- Role
- CEO, Starfighters Space
- Based in
- Cape Canaveral, FL
- Prior experience
- Energy Florida, Florida Space Authority, Florida Legislature
Affiliated funds0
No linked records yet.
Frequently asked
- Who is Tim Franta?
- Tim Franta became CEO of Starfighters Space on February 23, 2026, succeeding founder Rick Svetkoff after the company's NYSE American listing. Starfighters Space operates the world's only commercial fleet of flight-ready Mach 2+ F-104 supersonic jets, based at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, and is developing STARLAUNCH, an air-launched rocket system intended to deliver small satellites more flexibly than traditional heavy-lift rockets. As CEO, Franta has described the company's strategy as scaling aircraft utilization, advancing STARLAUNCH through engineering milestones, and broadening its commercial customer base beyond government clients.
- What is Tim Franta's role?
- Tim Franta is CEO, Starfighters Space, based in Cape Canaveral, FL.
- Where did Tim Franta work before?
- Tim Franta's prior roles include Energy Florida, Florida Space Authority, Florida Legislature.
Sources & citations5
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
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Starfighters Space new CEO Tim Franta on building out operations after IPO
Investing.com: Starfighters Space new CEO Tim Franta on building out operations after IPOVerified2026-03-23 - 2
Florida company Starfighters Space, led by CEO Tim Franta, seeks to use jets to launch satellites into space
CBS12/WPEC: Florida company Starfighters Space seeks to use jets to launch satellites into spaceVerified2026-07-13 - 3
Starfighters Space CEO Tim Franta says space is the future
TheStreet: Starfighters Space CEO says 'space is the future'Verified2026-02-26 - 4
Tim Franta, Director of Special Projects at Energy Florida, scheduled to speak on energy technology partnership at NASA Kennedy Space Center
Energy Florida: Tim Franta, Director of Special Projects is scheduled to speakVerified2017-07-28 - 5
Tim Franta appointed CEO of Starfighters Space in February 2026, after joining in October 2022 as VP of Development to lead the STARLAUNCH program; previously Deputy Director at Energy Florida
BusinessWire: Starfighters Space Founder Rick Svetkoff Steps Down after Listing on NYSE; Tim Franta Appointed as CEOVerified2026-02-23