Firefly Debut Flight between March 15 and 22, 2021 by second

FIREFLY AND SERENITY GUERILLA MARKETING

Firefly Debut Flight between March 15 and 22, 2021

POSTED BY: SECOND
UPDATED: Tuesday, February 23, 2021 15:34
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Monday, January 13, 2020 7:54 AM

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

The new rocket can loft 2,200 lbs. (1,000 kilograms) to low-Earth orbit.

Firefly Aerospace has pushed the planned debut launch of its Alpha rocket to April as the company prepares for a very busy 2020.

In particular, figuring out the two-stage rocket's avionics system "gave us fits," Firefly CEO Tom Markusic told Space.com in a recent interview. That's because the company was originally hoping to make Alpha's flight-termination system fully autonomous, he explained.

When the vendor couldn't qualify that advanced system in time, the vendor switched to the usual "human in the loop" system. But waiting for parts pushed back Firefly's December 2019 launch time frame to something closer to March 2020. Firefly then chose to take a little more time for further refinements and is now aiming for April 2020 for the first launch of the 95-foot-tall (29 meters) rocket, Markusic said.

When it's ready, the rocket will launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

www.space.com/firefly-aerospace-alpha-rocket-first-launch-april-2020.h
tml

Firefly Aerospace https://firefly.com/

Firefly Aerospace https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Firefly_Aerospace

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Friday, January 24, 2020 2:26 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

On Wednesday evening at Firefly Aerospace's test site about an hour north of Austin in Central Texas, some sort of anomaly occurred. The Burnet County Sheriff's Office reported that the incident took place at 6:24pm CT (00:24 UTC, Thursday), and that officers had called for evacuations of residences within one mile of the test site.

Earlier in the evening, in a subsequently deleted tweet, the company stated that it was loading liquid oxygen onto the rocket and about to attempt a qualification hot fire test of the first stage of its Alpha booster. This rocket is powered by four Reaver engines and has a reported capacity of 1 metric ton to low-Earth orbit. Firefly has been working toward the inaugural launch of the rocket, from Vandenberg Air Force Base, in April.

More at https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/01/firefly-experiences-a-test-ano
maly-as-it-works-toward-first-launch/

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Sunday, January 26, 2020 3:38 PM

THG

Can hardly wait!!!

T

Deep state describes dedicated, educated professionals.

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Tuesday, January 28, 2020 2:30 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Firefly Aerospace has engine bay fire during rocket test – exactly like the fire that almost killed Kaylee in the Out of Gas episode.
www.space.com/firefly-aerospace-rocket-engine-test-fire-video.html

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Tuesday, January 28, 2020 3:16 PM

THG

That can't be good...

T

Deep state describes dedicated, educated professionals.

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Tuesday, January 28, 2020 5:23 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Quote:
Originally posted by THG:
That can't be good...

T

Deep state describes dedicated, educated professionals.

Kaylee already knows how to fix it:
"Catalyzer on the port compression coil blew. That's where the trouble started."
Now if there is a junkyard somewhere in Texas specializing in used rocket parts . . .
More at www.myths.com/pub/tv/firefly/script-out-of-gas.html

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Thursday, February 13, 2020 7:32 AM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Two founders and board members of Texas space startup Firefly Aerospace appear to be involved in running a ring of sham dating websites, according to the results of a two-year investigation published by Snopes on Wednesday.

Firefly CEO and co-founder Thomas Markusic said in a phone call with The Verge on Wednesday that the spacefaring startup is “a completely independent entity,” and that while Polyakov’s venture fund is the company’s majority shareholder, the Ukrainian businessman is not involved in the day-to-day operations. He says he and Firefly are “not exposed” to any of Polyakov’s other businesses.

“We have government contracts, and we’re just incredibly vigilant about being totally transparent and open with our shareholders and other stakeholders, our customers,” Markusic said. “We have a whole legal team that ensures we are compliant with all legal and ethical requirements for contracts with the government.”

Firefly Aerospace was founded in 2014 as Firefly Space Systems. The company set out to build the “Model T of rockets,” something that would be easily mass-manufactured, cost less than what SpaceX makes, but take smaller payloads to orbit.

More at www.theverge.com/2020/2/12/21134844/firefly-aerospace-founders-max-pol
yakov-ceo-dating-site-sham

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Sunday, March 29, 2020 11:45 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Firefly targets summer launch, unveils plans for lunar delivery service

https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/03/firefly-outlines-plans-to-expa
nd-beyond-small-satellite-launch/

Markusic said Firefly is on track to launch the Alpha rocket for the first time this summer. He anticipates shipping flight hardware to Vandenberg Air Force Base in June, where the vehicle will be assembled, rolled out for tests, and ultimately given a launch attempt.

NASA's Artemis plan to return humans to the surface of the Moon has gotten the lion's share of public attention over the last year, but the space agency's innovative program to deliver material to the surface of the Moon has arguably spurred more commercial activity.

The Commercial Lunar Services Program (or CLPS, which rhymes with chips) has put $2.8 billion on the table for delivery services. Over the next decade, a pool of more than a dozen companies is eligible to bid for contracts to deliver scientific instruments to the surface of the Moon.

"I see CLPS as a contemporary opportunity," Tom Markusic, founder of Firefly, said in an interview. "For Firefly, I saw this as something we had to go for."

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Thursday, April 2, 2020 7:36 PM

THG

Think I'll pass on investigating here second.

T

Deep state describes dedicated, educated professionals.

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Sunday, April 26, 2020 9:32 AM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Firefly signs deal with Spaceflight for 2021 launch.

Texas-based launch company Firefly said April 22, 2020 it had reached a deal with Spaceflight to manage payloads on a 2021 launch of its Alpha booster to Sun-synchronous orbit. The rocket has a capacity of 630kg to such an orbit, and as the mission's "anchor customer," Spaceflight will work to maximize the usage of that lift capability.

Larger lift among the littles ... Firefly sees the larger capacity of its rocket as a major asset in the smallsat launch competition. "Our Alpha launch vehicle will quickly fill a major market gap with the capability to deliver 1 metric ton to low-Earth orbit and 630kg to the highly desirable 500km SSO, about four times the current payload capability of other small satellite launch vehicles," Firefly's Tom Markusic said. The company is still targeting this summer for Alpha's first launch from Vandenberg Air Force Base.

More at www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200422005195/en/4743642/Firefly-Aeros
pace-Spaceflight-Sign-Launch-Services-Agreement

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Thursday, July 9, 2020 8:37 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Firefly Aerospace uses rocket engine to light birthday candles in epic cake video

Was the result tasty? The team doesn't say while sharing the charred cake, but their enthusiasm radiates nonetheless. "Happy Birthday, Max!" they cry.

www.space.com/firefly-aerospace-lights-birthday-cake-with-rocket-engin
e-video.html

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Sunday, October 25, 2020 12:42 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

The Firefly Alpha Flight 1 Stage 1 passed its Final Acceptance Test. After a final inspection, it will be transported to Vandenberg Air Force Base in preparation for launch.
www.space.com/firefly-aerospace-alpha-rocket-testing-video.html

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Monday, January 4, 2021 5:50 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Firefly Alpha Stage 2 Flight 1 Acceptance Test

Firefly Aerospace has completed acceptance testing of Alpha Flight 1 Stage 2! The stage will now ship to Vandenberg and be integrated with Stage 1 in preparation for the first Alpha launch!

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Wednesday, January 6, 2021 11:00 PM

THG

Quote:
Originally posted by second:
Firefly Aerospace uses rocket engine to light birthday candles in epic cake video

Was the result tasty? The team doesn't say while sharing the charred cake, but their enthusiasm radiates nonetheless. "Happy Birthday, Max!" they cry.

www.space.com/firefly-aerospace-lights-birthday-cake-with-rocket-engin
e-video.html

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

It worked

T

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Wednesday, January 6, 2021 11:02 PM

THG

Second, any updates?

T

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Thursday, January 7, 2021 5:50 AM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Firefly Aerospace is getting ready for their first ever launch of their Alpha rocket. If the launch is successful, it would be a breakthrough moment for small rockets everywhere.

Firefly Aerospace currently plans for its maiden Alpha rocket launch to happen as early as Dec. 22, co-founder and CEO Tom Markusic told CNBC, as his company prepares for the next major milestone in its plan to offer a variety of space transportation services.

Markusic is confident in the launch date because of the “rigid” requirements of Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, where Firefly is finishing up work to prepare the launchpad at SLC-2. While “everything is susceptible to surprises,” with room in the schedule to launch as late as Jan. 31, 2021, Markusic said the “full gamut of rules” at Vandenberg means the company has put extra work into certification for Alpha’s first launch.

“We took the hard route to flight, and that was by going to a launch range that has very strict requirements,” Markusic said. “So our design has been highly vetted, as we have a lot of requirements that are put on us by the range and that makes the rocket ultimately more reliable.

“I think it’s very reasonable for us to expect complete success on the first launch,” Markusic added.

More at https://www.cnbc.com/2020/10/21/firefly-aerospace-aims-for-first-rocke
t-launch-in-late-december.html

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Thursday, January 7, 2021 3:41 PM

THG

There talking a 2,204.6 payload. Very cool Second. Do we remember what Serenity's payload was?

T

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Thursday, January 7, 2021 5:29 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

Quote:
Originally posted by THG:
There talking a 2,204.6 payload. Very cool Second. Do we remember what Serenity's payload was?

Empty weight
282,500 lb (128.1 metric tonne)

Maximum weight
585,000 lb (265.4 metric tonne)

Maximum payload
164,900 lb (74.8 metric tonne)

Unless 74.8 tonne is structural, where the designers are worried that the cargo deck will collapse if there is more than 75 tonne static weight, I think the max payload is 137 tonne. (265 tonne - 128 tonne = 137 tonne.) That is if Serenity has the minimum amount of fuel of about 0.3 tonne -- just enough to make a short distance hop from the city center to the suburbs. This ain't a helicopter, airplane, or rocketship. It can hover with zero thrust because it controls gravity. How much weight can an ocean going ship carry? Depends on the weight of water the ship's volume displaces. How much weight can a space going ship carry? Depends on how much weight its anti-gravity generators can hold in a hover.

https://firefly.fandom.com/wiki/Serenity

or page 7, sheet 5 of the Serenity blueprints reference pack
http://blog.quantummechanix.com/backgrounders/Serenity_Ref_Pack_Backgr
ounder.pdf
https://firefly.fandom.com/wiki/Serenity_Blueprints

What is a Plimsoll line?
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/plimsoll-line.html
(It's on sea ships. Spaceships that float on artificial gravity have something similar to prevent shipwreck from too much cargo weight. If Wash hadn't died, he'd explain it. Mal can't because he doesn't understand it.)

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Friday, January 8, 2021 8:16 PM

THG

Even the cows never came close to them having much of a payload. Quite an impressive ship.

T

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Saturday, January 9, 2021 2:13 AM

WISHIMAY

How did I miss this thread??

Oh yeah, there's a lot to argue about these days.
Be nice if we were arguing about scientific stuff, eh?

It has REAVER rockets, lol.
I thought that was an Onion article or something.

I found this. They are still go for this year.

https://blog.executivebiz.com/2020/12/als-firefly-aerospace-ink-contra
ct-for-four-alpha-rocket-launches/

The rocket manufacturer has been preparing its Vandenberg Air Force Base Space Launch Complex 2 launch site for the Alpha's maiden flight in 2021. Firefly has also passed both Stage 1 and Stage 2 acceptance tests for the rocket's Flight 1.

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Saturday, January 9, 2021 10:38 AM

THG

Hey wish, pretty cool to have a rocket named Firefly. Interesting watching updates. I see where it's goal for now is to launch with small satellites to disperse.

T

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Saturday, January 9, 2021 5:29 PM

WISHIMAY

Ooh, they should name them Crybabies

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Sunday, January 10, 2021 8:13 PM

THG

That's funny

T

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Sunday, January 31, 2021 1:42 PM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

New date for Firefly Debut Flight is February 28, 2021.

Information is from Space Archive
Vandenberg AFB Launch Schedule
As of 2021 January 23
https://www.spacearchive.info/vafbsked.htm

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Monday, February 8, 2021 7:04 AM

SECOND

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

New date for Firefly Debut Flight is between March 15 and 22, 2021

The company is moving to aggressively raise new funding and is shaking up its board of directors. Gone is investor Max Polyakov, and in are two senior members of the US government community. All of this comes as Firefly is expected to roll its completed rocket out to its launch site in California in two weeks and perform one or more hot-fire tests. The company is projecting a launch between March 15 and 22.

When the company faced a cash crunch in 2016, Max Polyakov stepped in to provide $210 million in funding. About 10 percent of those funds remain, and the company is now seeking to raise $350 million. This will allow further development of a production line for Alpha, which can launch up to 1 ton to low Earth orbit, and development of its successor, Beta.

More at https://arstechnica.com/science/2021/02/on-eve-of-first-launch-firefly
-revamps-board-of-directors-may-go-public/

The Joss Whedon script for Serenity, where Wash lives, is Serenity-190pages.pdf at www.mediafire.com/folder/1uwh75oa407q8/Firefly

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Monday, February 8, 2021 7:36 PM

THG

Thanks for the update. We should tell wish

T

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Tuesday, February 23, 2021 3:34 PM

THG

NASA picks SpaceX Falcon Heavy to propel new Gateway lunar space station

The Gateway is conceived as humanity's first long-term outpost at the moon, a kind of mini space station. But unlike the International Space Station that circles our planet in relatively low orbit, the Gateway will be in orbit around the moon. It will support upcoming astronaut missions as part of NASA's Artemis mission to return to the lunar surface and establish a permanent presence there.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/nasa-picks-spacex-falcon-hea
vy-to-propel-new-gateway-lunar-space-station/ar-BB1dzsBl?ocid=msedgntp

Simply put, fantastic.

T

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