Author Topic: Introducing Firefly Space Systems  (Read 340716 times)

Offline ringsider

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #580 on: 11/04/2016 06:39 am »
Another court report - this one says Markusic claims VG got a big military contractor working on XS-1 to stop talking to Firefly (last few paragraphs):

http://www.law360.com/articles/831887/virgin-galactic-rocket-scientist-blasted-in-secrets-battle
« Last Edit: 11/06/2016 08:49 pm by ringsider »

Offline ThePhugoid

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #581 on: 11/04/2016 05:28 pm »
Another court report - this one says Markusic claims VG got a big military contractor working on XS-1 to stop talking to Firefly (last few paragraphs):

http://www.law360.com/articles/831887/virgin-galactic-rocket-scientist-blasted-in-secrets-battle

Sent from my SM-G930F using Tapatalk

Article is behind a paywall...

Offline Kryten

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #582 on: 11/04/2016 05:43 pm »
Article is behind a paywall...
Can be bypassed by googling the article title, similar to the WSJ paywall.

Offline bstrong

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #583 on: 11/08/2016 08:46 pm »
Firefly just tweeted this link:

http://www.seeker.com/space-junk-debris-recycle-mars-exploration-satellites-2085063955.html

Apparently Markusic is pitching a scheme to recycle satellites in a manned facility on Phobos??? Even if we had a base on Phobos, this would still be ridiculous. Sounds like he has completely lost it.

Also:

Quote
"The way I do things is I go very fast, so our burn rates are high. To have an interruption throws sand in the gears," Markusic said, adding he had to lay off half his staff while looking for other partners.

Offline ThePhugoid

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #584 on: 11/09/2016 11:52 pm »
Also:

Quote
"The way I do things is I go very fast, so our burn rates are high. To have an interruption throws sand in the gears," Markusic said, adding he had to lay off half his staff while looking for other partners.

Sounds like the words of someone who can really empathize with the furloughed employees left in his wake.

Offline Chris Bergin

Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #585 on: 11/14/2016 04:25 pm »
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Offline ringsider

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #586 on: 11/14/2016 04:38 pm »
Lots of LOIs from customers to try and support them:
http://www.fireflyspace.com/news/ournews/customers-rally-in-support-of-firefly-space-systems
Unless those customers are pre-paying, this sounds like good news for Rocket Lab...

Offline ChrisWilson68

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #587 on: 11/14/2016 04:51 pm »
Lots of LOIs from customers to try and support them:
http://www.fireflyspace.com/news/ournews/customers-rally-in-support-of-firefly-space-systems
Unless those customers are pre-paying, this sounds like good news for Rocket Lab...

I agree.

If they were putting down a deposit, or even signing any kind of firm order, the press release would have said that.  "Letter of intent" really means "we're going to say something nice but not commit to anything".

Any potential customer for small satellite launch would be likely to sign an LOI like this, because more competition among providers is always better for them.  Even if they prefer another provider, it can't hurt and is likely to help to have another competitor, if only to drive down prices or give another option in case other providers have problems.  There's nothing to lose by signing an LOI like this.

Online TrevorMonty

Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #588 on: 11/14/2016 05:01 pm »
It's not lack of market potential that is keeping investors away but VG lawsuit and IP rights. It would be a brave or more likely foolish investor that would put money into Firefly while VG issues are unresolved.

Everyday this drags out more of staff and their critical knowledge are moving on, making it that much harder to restart company.

RL are already well financed, it is likes of Vector that well benefit most from this news.

Offline Prober

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #589 on: 11/16/2016 03:41 pm »
Seems like no one can finance them as long VG has a very good chance of winning their IP lawsuit, and owning FFSS.


Their lawyers need to do more vetting and they have a new tool. 


Google: wikileaks  "principles in ?"





2017 - Everything Old is New Again.
"I fear all we have done is to awaken a sleeping giant..." --Isoroku Yamamoto

Offline HMXHMX

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #590 on: 11/17/2016 06:09 am »
Has anyone heard that Firefly is selling off assets? 

Offline ringsider

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #591 on: 11/17/2016 07:18 am »
Has anyone heard that Firefly is selling off assets?
Have not heard that but would not be surprised. The problem is: what assets? The IP is in dispute, the desks and chairs etc are basically worth zero. The test stand might be valuable. Not sure what else they have. Plus you know if you were VG you would ask for an injunction on that, to ensure payment.

Offline HMXHMX

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #592 on: 11/17/2016 03:24 pm »
Has anyone heard that Firefly is selling off assets?
Have not heard that but would not be surprised. The problem is: what assets? The IP is in dispute, the desks and chairs etc are basically worth zero. The test stand might be valuable. Not sure what else they have. Plus you know if you were VG you would ask for an injunction on that, to ensure payment.

The test site was what I was specifically wondering about.

Offline ringsider

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #593 on: 12/04/2016 08:38 am »
A small update from an (ex-) Firefly employee posting to Reddit (edited out some not-so-relevant lines):-

https://www.reddit.com/r/fireflyspace/comments/5ffj77/new_promotional_video_released_by_firefly_space/

imgoinfast 7 points 5 days ago
And it's cool and all that they are releasing publicity like this, but they still haven't hired back about 98% of us. They don't send us email updates really anymore, either.

hasslehawk 7 points 5 days ago
If I may ask, what have people been doing in the interim?

imgoinfast 5 points 5 days ago
Most of the people I kept in touch with have already found jobs elsewhere.
« Last Edit: 12/04/2016 08:39 am by ringsider »

Offline ringsider

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #594 on: 12/17/2016 04:31 pm »
VG is seeking $40M in direct damages, another $80M in exemplary damages, plus whatever punitives the jury decides are just from Firefly et al:-



source: Amended complaint case no. BS162525 filed 13 Dec 2016 in LA Courts.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #595 on: 01/05/2017 02:48 pm »
Firefly made this post yesterday, discussing a report that they say shows they used public-domain info and technologies:

Quote
Firefly Alpha Rocket Technology: Overview
January 4th, 2017

Firefly is not alone in pursuing the mission of “rapidly producing a new low-cost, high flight rate launcher” (see Dr. Tom’s March 6, 2015 blog entry). Space is the next frontier for the information revolution. The Firefly team believes that fulfilling the mission will not only enrich successful rocket companies, but also enhance the quality of life for individuals throughout the world. Firefly has promoted the motto: Making Space For Everyone. So today, Firefly is reporting on its progress in developing the Firefly Alpha vehicle. We hope that the high degree of detail provided by Firefly will be useful to others actively pursuing the mission, as well as newspace enthusiasts who want to participate in the “big picture” discussion.

Firefly is striving to rapidly field new launch capability and, hence, has pursued a simplest-soonest technological path that relies on proven, high Technology Readiness Level (TRL) system architectures and components. The first installment of this new blog series provides an overview of the technology employed in the design of Alpha, which relies heavily on the rich heritage of NASA and U.S. public domain technologies that are available in the open-source literature. Last year, Firefly provided open access to the Schafer Corporation – open access to all of Firefly’s facilities and employees — to compile an independent review of the Alpha vehicle architecture and a high-level description of its subsystems. The public-domain origins of the technology employed were established through a detailed list of references, and component technologies were categorized and critiqued for technological maturity using commonly used TRL methodologies. The report contains over one hundred and twenty five public domain references, and clearly outlines how the Alpha design was rapidly evolved by drawing on the reference material. We encourage the community to view or download the report via the links provided below, and participate in Dr. Tom’s Rocket blog by adding comments to this thread.

http://www.fireflyspace.com/newblog/technology-overview

Edit: hmm, just noticed that the report linked to the above post is dated 29th Feb 2016 ...
« Last Edit: 01/05/2017 02:49 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline mwfair

Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #596 on: 01/05/2017 03:42 pm »
Firefly made this post yesterday, discussing a report that they say shows they used public-domain info and technologies:
Quote
Firefly Alpha Rocket Technology: Overview
January 4th, 2017
Edit: hmm, just noticed that the report linked to the above post is dated 29th Feb 2016 ...
Good catch, how strange to have such a time lag.  It seems to me that the purpose of the commissioned study is obvious: to refute claims of infringement.  But if that is the case and it has been in play for 10 months then it doesn't seem to have worked.    Perhaps the motivation was more of a public service announcement afterall!  Or simply an external review for their own purpose.  Hmmm....
Mike Fair

Offline ringsider

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #597 on: 01/05/2017 03:53 pm »
Firefly made this post yesterday, discussing a report that they say shows they used public-domain info and technologies:
Quote
Firefly Alpha Rocket Technology: Overview
January 4th, 2017
Edit: hmm, just noticed that the report linked to the above post is dated 29th Feb 2016 ...
Good catch, how strange to have such a time lag.  It seems to me that the purpose of the commissioned study is obvious: to refute claims of infringement.  But if that is the case and it has been in play for 10 months then it doesn't seem to have worked.    Perhaps the motivation was more of a public service announcement afterall!  Or simply an external review for their own purpose.  Hmmm....
The Schafer report was commissioned to support Firefly/Tom Markusic in their various legal actions, hence the timestamp.

I would guess it's being re-purposed to address their PR issue.

Offline old_sellsword

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #598 on: 01/25/2017 02:20 am »
If anyone wants to look through a bunch of Firefly images and files, their website's file directory is located here: http://fireflyspace.com/assets/

Along with lots of low-quality renders, I found a third-party "Technology Overview" of Firefly Alpha that I've linked below. Gives a good look into their design process and rationale, along with a few bits of technical information too.

[DIRECT PDF] http://www.fireflyspace.com/assets/files/Firefly%20Alpha%20Technology%20Overview-20170104161054.pdf
« Last Edit: 01/25/2017 02:32 am by old_sellsword »

Offline ringsider

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Re: Introducing Firefly Space Systems
« Reply #599 on: 01/25/2017 10:38 am »
Jeff Foust on Twitter:-

Freilich’s chart on Venture-Class Launch Services, as at AGU, has Firefly crossed off.

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