Author Topic: Firefly Space : Company and Development General Thread  (Read 451422 times)

Offline lrk

  • Full Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 866
  • Minnesota
  • Liked: 742
  • Likes Given: 1106
NGIS no longer exists as a separate entity, and hasn't existed for several years.  The various divisions of NGIS/Orbital ATK (space systems, flight systems, defence systems) have been fully merged into the respective space and defence systems divisions of Northrop Grumman. It bugs me when people keep using that name (and that there is still an NGIS forum section.)

I hope Firefly has her own section because is maybe will be an amazing company...
It might make sense to combine the NGIS and Firefly sections, since the new Antares will use basically the Beta first stage.

Antares in a section labeled 'Firefly' makes sense to me.
The Firefly Alpha in a section labeled 'NGIS' makes about as little sense as it is possible to make (especially considering that organization doesn't even exist anymore).
A 'Firefly & Northrop Grumman' section would be strange at best, because while it would make perfect sense for Antares, there's no particular reason for Blue Ghost and Cygnus to be in the same section.

I'm not totally dead set against the idea, but you'd need to give me a pretty thorough explanation for how that could actually work.
Wait, ∆V? This site will accept the ∆ symbol? How many times have I written out the word "delta" for no reason?

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48139
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81622
  • Likes Given: 36929
https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220930005668/en/U.S.-Space-Force-Selects-Firefly-Aerospace-for-‘Rapid-Space’-VICTUS-NOX-Mission

Quote
U.S. Space Force Selects Firefly Aerospace for ‘Rapid Space’ VICTUS NOX Mission
Contract worth $17.6M is part of The U.S. Space Force’s mission to demonstrate end-to-end tactical responsive space capabilities

October 03, 2022 07:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time
CEDAR PARK, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Firefly Aerospace, Inc, announced today that the company has been selected by The U.S. Space Force’s (USSF) Space Systems Command (SSC) to provide launch services for SSC’s VICTUS NOX mission. The effort was awarded as the Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS-3) Launch Service Task Order under the Orbital Services Program 4 (OSP-4) Contract.

“The United States’ launch industry is the envy of the world, innovating to bring more speed and more capability at a lower price.”

The VICTUS NOX mission will demonstrate an end-to-end Tactically Responsive Space capability, including the launch segment, space segment, ground segment, and on-orbit operations. VICTUS NOX will perform a Space Domain Awareness (SDA) mission from Low-Earth Orbit (LEO).

“We are honored to be chosen by Space Force for this important national security mission,” said Bill Weber, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Now more than ever, our country needs the ability for quick response capabilities to combat threats in space. Our Alpha launch vehicle is designed to drive affordable, rapid access to space. We look forward to working with Lt. Col. Justin Beltz and Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough along with their experienced team at Space Force to help bring this innovation to the national security community.”

“This end-to-end mission will demonstrate the United States’ ability to rapidly place an asset on-orbit when and where we need it, ensuring we can augment our space capabilities with very little notice,” said Lt. Col. MacKenzie Birchenough, Materiel Leader at SSC’s Space Safari.

The goal of the program is to bolster the United States “responsive space” capabilities allowing for the fast deployment of satellites during a conflict.

“Space Systems Command is committed to addressing threats in the space domain and VICTUS NOX will provide space capabilities on an unprecedented timeline,” stated Lt. Col. Justin Beltz, SSC’s Small Launch and Targets Division, chief. “The United States’ launch industry is the envy of the world, innovating to bring more speed and more capability at a lower price.”

This award comes on the heels of Firefly’s first successful orbital flight. Alpha Flight 2 mission successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base on October 1st. The company is also preparing for their upcoming Alpha Flight 3 mission currently being integrated to carry the NASA VCLS Demo 2 payload.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48139
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81622
  • Likes Given: 36929
https://twitter.com/firefly_space/status/1578716925206573056

Quote
Great article by @Sandra_I_Erwin of @SpaceNews_Inc on our recent contract award with the U.S. Space Force.  We are excited about this mission and looking forward to demonstrating Firefly's rapid-response launch capabilities.

https://spacenews.com/after-successful-first-launch-firefly-sets-sight-on-national-security-market/

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48139
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81622
  • Likes Given: 36929
https://twitter.com/tgmetsfan98/status/1582096031868915712

Quote
Firefly says only "minor tweaks" are needed after all "To The Black" payloads reentered within weeks.

The company is also expanding its Briggs, TX facility for Alpha and MLV testing.

✍️ Trevor Sesnic (@124970MeV): nasaspaceflight.com/2022/10/firefl…
📸 Michael Baylor (@nextspaceflight)

https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2022/10/firefly-to-the-black-reentry/

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48139
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81622
  • Likes Given: 36929
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firefly-aerospace-adds-chris-emerson-longtime-aerospace-industry-leader-and-former-airbus-executive-to-its-board-of-directors-301654478.html

Quote
Firefly Aerospace Adds Chris Emerson, Longtime Aerospace Industry Leader and Former Airbus Executive, to its Board of Directors
Firefly Aerospace (PRNewsfoto/AE Industrial Partners, LP)
 
Oct 20, 2022, 07:00 ET

CEDAR PARK, Texas, Oct. 20, 2022  /PRNewswire/ -- Firefly Aerospace ("Firefly" or "the Company"), a new space leader in launch, spacecraft, and in-space services, announced today that Chris Emerson, a seasoned industry leader with decades of aerospace expertise, has joined the Company's Board of Directors, effective immediately.

"Chris is a respected leader with an extensive background in aerospace and defense, including his many years at Airbus, and we're thrilled to welcome him to Firefly's Board," said Bill Weber, Firefly CEO. "His track record of driving innovation in business as well as in technology will be a tremendous asset as Firefly works with our commercial customers to help them address their growing space transportation needs."

Mr. Emerson brings over 25 years of aerospace experience in space, commercial aviation, U.S. defense, and rotorcraft. He is the former Chairman & CEO of Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, Inc., where he developed and executed a strategy to grow Airbus' U.S. space business. Earlier this month, Mr. Emerson joined AE Industrial Partners, LP ("AEI") as an Operating Partner, and currently serves on the Board of Directors of AEI portfolio companies' Belcan and The Atlas Group. Previously, he served as President of Airbus Helicopters, Inc., and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Airbus. Mr. Emerson started his career with the Daimler - Mercedes Benz team which later formed Airbus. He holds a BS degree from the University of Alabama.

"I'm excited to offer my counsel as Firefly looks to build off its successful launch earlier this month," said Mr. Emerson. "Firefly is one of a handful of companies with the proven technology and expertise to offer customers affordable space transportation solutions, and I look forward to collaborating with Firefly's team during this new stage of the Company's evolution."

With the recent successful launch of Firefly's Alpha FLTA002 mission, Firefly became the first company to launch and reach orbit from U.S. soil in only its second attempt. Firefly is also the first and only U.S. commercial space company with a rocket ready to take customers to space in the highly desired 1400kg payload lift class.

Firefly was also recently selected by the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) to provide launch services for SSC's VICTUS NOX mission, and the company's Space Transport Services was recently selected by NASA to provide launch services for some of the agency's Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) missions. Firefly and Northrop Grumman Corporation also recently announced they had joined forces to provide an American-built first-stage upgrade for the Antares rocket and a new medium launch vehicle to serve commercial, civil and national security space launch markets.

Firefly is a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners ("AEI"), a U.S.-based private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services, and specialty industrial markets.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48139
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81622
  • Likes Given: 36929
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firefly-aerospace-adds-former-nasa-administrator-james-bridenstine-to-its-advisory-board-301656935.html

Quote
Firefly Aerospace Adds Former NASA Administrator James Bridenstine to its Advisory Board
Firefly Aerospace (PRNewsfoto/AE Industrial Partners, LP)
Oct 24, 2022, 07:00 ET

CEDAR PARK, Texas, Oct. 24, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Firefly Aerospace ("Firefly" or "the Company"), a new space leader in launch, spacecraft, and in-space services, announced today that former NASA Administrator James Bridenstine, who led the space agency in advancing its aeronautics, science and space exploration objectives, will be joining the Company's Advisory Board, effective immediately.

"We're honored to welcome Jim, a visionary leader in aeronautics and space exploration, to the Firefly Advisory Board," said Bill Weber, Firefly CEO. "Throughout his leadership of NASA and his career, Jim has demonstrated a clear vision that the future of space exploration in the U.S. lies in effective and efficient collaboration between private enterprise and government. With the recent success of our Alpha FLTA002 mission, and our rapidly approaching mission to the moon with the Blue Ghost Lunar Lander, our team will be fortunate to have the benefit of Jim's expertise and guidance as Firefly moves to its next stage of growth and innovation."

During Mr. Bridenstine's tenure as NASA Administrator from 2018 to 2021, NASA launched its Artemis program and established the Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program to partner with private enterprise in landing rovers on the lunar surface. Among his accomplishments at NASA, he managed the continued commercial resupply of the International Space Station and led agency efforts to partner with U.S. businesses on the Commercial Crew Program, which seeks to launch U.S. rockets from U.S. launch sites. Also during his tenure, NASA's science portfolio grew to include the Mars Perseverance Rover, an enhanced fleet of Earth-observing satellites, and the finalization of the James Webb Space Telescope.

Prior to his time at NASA, Mr. Bridenstine served in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he was a member of the Armed Services Committee and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. Before being elected to Congress, he served as a pilot in the U.S. Navy. He holds a BA with a triple major from Rice University and an MBA from Cornell University.

"Firefly has an exceptional team that is building an impressive track record of success, and I'm excited to have the opportunity to help guide Firefly during this dynamic phase of its growth and development," said Mr. Bridenstine, "I look forward to advising Firefly on how they can better position the Company to take advantage of the tremendous opportunities available in today's fast-evolving space economy." 

This appointment comes on the heels of the Company's successful orbital launch of its Alpha rocket earlier this month, as well as  a series of recent announcements. This includes Firefly's selection by the U.S. Space Force's Space Systems Command (SSC) to provide launch services for SSC's VICTUS NOX mission, and being chosen by NASA to provide launch services through its Venture Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) missions. Firefly also recently announced a joint partnership with Northrop Grumman Corporation to provide an American-built first-stage upgrade for the Antares rocket and a new medium launch vehicle to serve commercial, civil and national security space launch markets.

Firefly is a portfolio company of AE Industrial Partners ("AEI"), a U.S.-based private equity firm specializing in aerospace, defense & government services, space, power & utility services, and specialty industrial markets.

Online zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11159
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7392
  • Likes Given: 72405
Belated cross-post:
http://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm
Quote
NOV 29    Alpha    SLC-2W    Third flight of Firefly's Alpha rocket.
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48139
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81622
  • Likes Given: 36929
https://twitter.com/sciguyspace/status/1587058963446628352

Quote
Firefly is seeking to raise an additional $300 million in private funding, Reuters reports.

https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/rocket-maker-firefly-aerospace-looks-raise-up-300-mln-sources-2022-10-31/

Article says looking to complete funding by end of this year.

Online FutureSpaceTourist

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 48139
  • UK
    • Plan 28
  • Liked: 81622
  • Likes Given: 36929
https://twitter.com/firefly_space/status/1587796720775270403

Quote
📢 Announcement: We are honored to welcome Dan Fermon, former GE Sr. Executive, as our COO. Along with Dan's appointment, we have also added Justin Siebert as VP of Operations and Production. Justin was most recently Deputy VP of Operations at BAE Systems. https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20221102005416/en/Firefly-Aerospace-Names-Former-GE-Senior-Executive-Dan-Fermon-as-Chief-Operating-Officer

Offline Tywin

Possible fusion with York in the future?

The knowledge is power...Everything is connected...
The Turtle continues at a steady pace ...

Online zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11159
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7392
  • Likes Given: 72405
Any new news about the next Alpha launch?
(NET November 29)
« Last Edit: 11/18/2022 09:54 pm by zubenelgenubi »
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

Any new news about the next Alpha launch?
(NET November 29)

https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=119834&RequestTimeout=1000

Quote
This STA is necessary to authorize launch vehicle communications for Firefly’s FLT 003 from Vandenberg Space Force Base SLC-2. This includes a suborbital first stage and an orbital second stage. All downrange Earth stations are receive-only. This STA Extension accounts for delays in planned launch which was intended to occur in September 2022, which now is planned for January 2023.

(thanks to our Alejandro Alcantarilla Romera for the tip)
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Offline Rondaz

  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 27059
  • Liked: 5301
  • Likes Given: 169
It appears the next launch of @Firefly_Space Alpha is NET January 2023..

https://twitter.com/Cosmic_Penguin/status/1594180372308250625

Online zubenelgenubi

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 11159
  • Arc to Arcturus, then Spike to Spica
  • Sometimes it feels like Trantor in the time of Hari Seldon
  • Liked: 7392
  • Likes Given: 72405
Revision of ELaNa 43 payloads aboard Alpha 3rd flight, published December 1:
https://www.nasa.gov/content/upcoming-elana-cubesat-launches
Quote
ELaNa 43
Nine CubeSat missions scheduled to be deployed

    CatSat - University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
    KUbe-Sat-1 - University of Kansas, Lawrence, Kan.
    MESAT1 - University of Maine, Orono, Maine
    R5-S4 - NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
    R5-S2-2.0 - NASA's Johnson Space Center, Houston, Texas
    REAL - Dartmouth University, Hanover, N.H.
    SOC-i - University of Washington, Seattle, Wash.
    TechEdSat-11 - NASA Ames Research Center, Mountain View, Calif.
    Serenity - Teachers in Space, North America
Support your local planetarium! (COVID-panic and forward: Now more than ever.) My current avatar is saying "i wants to go uppies!" Yes, there are God-given rights. Do you wish to gainsay the Declaration of Independence?

Offline gongora

  • Global Moderator
  • Senior Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 10205
  • US
  • Liked: 13885
  • Likes Given: 5933
Flight 4

2072-EX-ST-2022
NET April

Quote
The purpose of the mission is to launch a payload under contract FA8818-20-D-0004 to the Department
of Defense, administered by DCMA Dallas. The mission will be launched from SLC-2W at Vandenberg
Space Force Base (VSFB). Launch parameters under the contract are variable due to the nature of the
contract which is designed to test tactical response capabilities; orbits, payloads, and trajectories will be
provided to Firefly at dates outlined in the contract. The launch contract Sample Orbit is 550km and an
orbit list of 7 candidate orbits will be provided to Firefly on or about 17MAR2022. The contract restricts
the inclination of the 7 candidate orbits to a range of 95-100 degrees. Telemetry from the vehicle will be
transmitted for mission duration using 2215 MHz and a redundant downlink using 2272.5 MHz will be in
use only during the period of Range Safety responsibility. Stage Two of the launch vehicle will downlink
data to the VAFB Telemetry Receiving Station (VTRS) and Kongsberg Satellite Services (KSAT) ground
station locations in Hawaii (Paumalu), Mauritius, and South Africa (Hartebeesthoek) over a period of less
than 2 orbits. The entire mission is expected to be approximately two hours in duration.

The launch vehicle uses a traditional Flight Termination System (FTS) - ground-commanded initiation of
the onboard ordnance, with additional failsafes, for the purpose of ending powered flight if necessary.
The FTS will be armed just prior to launch and will not receive a ground commanded signal once the
period of Range Safety responsibility has ended. The FTS will be inoperable after passivation.

Once the vehicle reaches the final orbit it will deploy any separable payloads. Stage Two will
autonomously passivate after the final telemetry downlink – venting onboard propellant and gas,
draining the stage’s batteries, and ensuring there is no remaining source of energy available to the
stage. All launch vehicle radios will automatically turn off at this point. Firefly anticipates no attached
payloads for this mission. The passivation and RF control script for the vehicle is programmed into the
control system and is autonomous. The launch vehicle does not include a command receiver; therefore,
the RF communication link from the launch vehicle is not able to be controlled or turned off from the
ground.

Offline Foximus

Any news if Flight 3 is still on track for January?  Hard to get excited for Flight 4 in April if three doesnt make it in time. 

Will be impressed if they can hit a quarterly cadence this year tho.

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

Any news if Flight 3 is still on track for January?  Hard to get excited for Flight 4 in April if three doesnt make it in time. 

Will be impressed if they can hit a quarterly cadence this year tho.

Bumping this question since I don't see their 3rd launch having any recent news, but our forum's schedule still has it in "NET January".
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

Offline lightleviathan

  • Full Member
  • *
  • Posts: 165
  • Liked: 140
  • Likes Given: 46
Any news if Flight 3 is still on track for January?  Hard to get excited for Flight 4 in April if three doesnt make it in time. 

Will be impressed if they can hit a quarterly cadence this year tho.
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=119834&RequestTimeout=1000
Per this link, the start date is now listed as 02/01/23, so it's NET February now

Offline Galactic Penguin SST

Any news if Flight 3 is still on track for January?  Hard to get excited for Flight 4 in April if three doesnt make it in time. 

Will be impressed if they can hit a quarterly cadence this year tho.
https://apps.fcc.gov/oetcf/els/reports/STA_Print.cfm?mode=current&application_seq=119834&RequestTimeout=1000
Per this link, the start date is now listed as 02/01/23, so it's NET February now

I have seen this one, but the description section still lists "January 2023" as the current launch date, hence the confusion.
Astronomy & spaceflight geek penguin. In a relationship w/ Space Shuttle Discovery. Current Priority: Chasing the Chinese Spaceflight Wonder Egg & A Certain Chinese Mars Rover

 

Advertisement NovaTech
Advertisement Northrop Grumman
Advertisement
Advertisement Margaritaville Beach Resort South Padre Island
Advertisement Brady Kenniston
Advertisement NextSpaceflight
Advertisement Nathan Barker Photography
1