Company News

2014.06.04
Starfighters Aerospace (SFA) and Final Frontier Design (FFD) are pleased to announce a strategic partnership to integrate and optimize the FFD 3G Space Suit for SFA’s F-104 supersonic jets.  

The 3G Space Suit is an Intra-Vehicular Activity (IVA) safety garment designed to protect pilots in a high altitude environment. Integration with life support and ejection systems, as well as design optimization for the fighter’s cockpit, will take place in 2014. The 3G suit will enable SFA high altitude research flights and suborbital point-to-point pathfinder missions within the next year.  

The Lockheed F-104 is listed as the best No Gravity Platform Environment according to NASA D-3380 documents, and is capable of speeds up to Mach 2.2. SFA currently owns and operates eight F-104s out of the Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility.   

The 3G Space Suit is an advanced full pressure garment with a flame- and tear-resistant cover layer, integrated communications, cooling, and mobility systems, and a highly size adjustable layout. The 3G is designed to be extremely lightweight, mobile, and comfortable, even under pressure.  

Captain Piercarlo Ciacchi, SFA’s Director of Flight Operations, noted “FFD’s 3G suit represents a very advanced, lightweight, very comfortable product ready to go into operation. I have tested the suit pressurized in the cockpit of our fighters in many different scenarios, and am convinced it outperforms our needs for safety and capability.”