Quote from: JEF_300 on 06/29/2020 05:35 pmApparently, we need to be talking about the OTV more when we discuss Firefly.There's nothing new about the idea of a low-thrust, high-Isp orbital transfer vehicle. Lots of other companies have had the same idea. Momentus and Spaceflight Inc. have versions of this in development for use on Falcon 9 and other launch vehicles. The idea that this will magically make Firefly able to out-compete with Falcon 9 seems delusional.
Apparently, we need to be talking about the OTV more when we discuss Firefly.
Firefly created a fun video to celebrate the birthday of Max Polyakov, the Ukrainian businessman who has bankrolled the company for the last three years.youtube.com/watch?v=Rv5WPB…
Quote from: playadelmars on 06/19/2020 01:30 amCurious list of companies. RL, VO, Astra make sense, others are pretty big head scratchers. Notably Firefly and Relativity are absent, and I think combined they probably have 10-30x the total amount of hardware and number of employees of those three..https://spacenews.com/six-small-launch-companies-to-receive-dod-contracts-under-defense-production-act/A couple of them are among the companies on the OSP-4 contract. One makes target vehicles.
Curious list of companies. RL, VO, Astra make sense, others are pretty big head scratchers. Notably Firefly and Relativity are absent, and I think combined they probably have 10-30x the total amount of hardware and number of employees of those three..https://spacenews.com/six-small-launch-companies-to-receive-dod-contracts-under-defense-production-act/
DoD withdraws Defense Product Act small launch contract awardsby Sandra Erwin — July 1, 2020The U.S. government “will not award the identified contracts at this time.”WASHINGTON — The Defense Department has reversed its decision to award contracts funded under the Defense Production Act to six small launch companies.
Firefly CEO Dr. Tom Markusic joined Casey Claiborne at Good Morning Austin for a fun discussion about @maxpolyakov's birthday video, Alpha's upcoming launch, our Genesis Lunar Lander and more. Check it out!https://www.fox7austin.com/video/736399
Mark your calendar for Monday's SmallSat launch panel. Firefly's CRO Brad Schneider will have the latest scoop on Alpha vehicle development.
Designing the Firefly Alpha is, well, rocket science. HPC simulation allows the Firefly team to rapidly iterate our designs prior to building hardware. Our HPC partners at @nimbix put together a case study on the design of the Lightning engine’s nozzle extension. Check it out!
Our friends at Autodesk have put together a very special Firefly site. We’ve let Edwards Media peek behind the curtain at Firefly and see what it takes to create a space company. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at the upcoming Firefly documentary!https://www.autodesk.com/campaigns/firefly
“The ease of Inventor made it possible for us to go at the pace we’re going at right now..." A NEW customer story just dropped! And it's SUPER COOL! Learn more about Firefly Aerospace here: autode.sk/3frnWH8
We’ve added a payload section test stand to our test site. This allows us to verify designs by applying simulated loads to payload fairings and interface structures. Shown here is the Dev fairing. Every payload segment will be acceptance tested on this stand prior to flight.
The Strongback is on the way to Firefly’s launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base. This is the final large structure needed to complete our Transporter-Erector-Launcher! #Firefly #MakingSpaceForEveryone
The Firefly team is integrating the Alpha Flight 1 vehicle and putting the finishing touches on our Vandenberg launch site! Space.com caught up with Firefly COO Robb Kulin to check in on our progress and get the scoop on our future plans.https://www.space.com/firefly-aerospace-alpha-rocket-launch-2020.html
Quote from: rockets4life97 on 01/13/2019 12:37 amWhat kinds of terms are in the NASA astronaut contracts? Could we see a bunch of astronauts quit NASA and use their training to go to work for SpaceX as Spaceship crew? That would be a big morale blow to human spaceflight at NASA.Some have suggested we may already have the first of those "astronauts who have resigned" for such. Robb Kulin.
What kinds of terms are in the NASA astronaut contracts? Could we see a bunch of astronauts quit NASA and use their training to go to work for SpaceX as Spaceship crew? That would be a big morale blow to human spaceflight at NASA.
https://twitter.com/adsk_inventor/status/1290398666419773441Quote “The ease of Inventor made it possible for us to go at the pace we’re going at right now..." A NEW customer story just dropped! And it's SUPER COOL! Learn more about Firefly Aerospace here: autode.sk/3frnWH8From the trailer: “First to market is a big deal.” I’m sure Rocket Lab would agree.
Quote from: FutureSpaceTourist on 08/04/2020 02:26 pmhttps://twitter.com/adsk_inventor/status/1290398666419773441Quote “The ease of Inventor made it possible for us to go at the pace we’re going at right now..." A NEW customer story just dropped! And it's SUPER COOL! Learn more about Firefly Aerospace here: autode.sk/3frnWH8From the trailer: “First to market is a big deal.” I’m sure Rocket Lab would agree.To be fair, Firefly Alpha is in a different launch class. 1000 (630) kg vs 220 (150) kg to LEO (SSO). That’s medium satellite vs mini satellite.And Alpha is supposed to be the basis for Beta (“Alpha Heavy”) which is supposed to fly not long after, with 4000 (3000) kg to LEO (SSO), pitting it firmly in the Medium lift category.
Check out the latest video from our software partners at @autodesk. They recently visited Firefly to talk to the team about our design process. Some great views of the Firefly facilities, and insight into how rockets are designed and built.
The mission will utilize a ground station with a 13m antenna at Vandenberg AFB, California, USA and KSAT 3.7m ground stations in Hawaii, Mauritius, and South Africa.
