Tim Franta

Tim Franta, Chief Executive Officer
Tim Franta has spent more than two decades building space infrastructure on Florida’s Space Coast, from drafting the legislation that made space a mode of transportation in the state to leading the development of one of the most unconventional launch platforms in the industry.
As CEO of Starfighters Space, Franta oversees all aspects of the company’s operations, including development of the STARLAUNCH air-launch platform, the company’s airborne aerodynamic test program, and its growing customer relationships with organizations including Lockheed Martin, GE Aerospace, and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory. Under his leadership, first as Vice President of Development and now as CEO, Starfighters has advanced the Starlaunch program through key propulsion development milestones with GE Aerospace, expanded its technical partnerships, and begun assembling an experienced operations team drawn from leading launch vehicle programs.
Before joining Starfighters, Franta served for a decade as Deputy Director and Director of Special Projects at Energy Florida, where he led space and energy business development across the Cape Canaveral corridor, translating complex technical and regulatory requirements into funded programs and coordinating public policy with private and government financing. Earlier, he served as Chief of Staff for the Florida Space Authority, where he helped draft the Florida Space Transportation Act, oversaw FAA licensing of two launch pads, and supported more than $300 million in space and ground infrastructure investment.
Franta is also an Emmy-nominated producer. His documentary “Woman in Motion” tells the story of how Nichelle Nichols, who played Lt. Uhura in the original Star Trek, recruited the first women and minority astronauts for NASA. His earlier screen credits include “From the Earth to the Moon” and “Armageddon.”
Born on Florida’s Space Coast, Franta is a graduate of Flagler College.