Glossary F

Deutsch: Glühwürmchen / Español: Luciérnaga / Português: Vaga-lume / Français: Luciole / Italiano: Lucciola

Firefly in the space industry refers to Firefly Aerospace, an American aerospace company specializing in the development and launch of small to medium-sized satellites. The company's primary focus is on providing cost-effective, flexible, and reliable access to space for commercial, government, and research missions. Firefly Aerospace aims to fill the gap between large satellite launch providers and the growing demand for smaller payloads to be sent into orbit.

Deutsch: Erste Stufe / Español: Primera etapa / Português: Primeira etapa / Français: Premier étage / Italiano: Primo stadio

First-stage in the space industry context refers to the initial part of a rocket's launch system, which is primarily responsible for providing the initial thrust to lift the rocket from the ground and commence its journey into space. The first stage is a critical component of a rocket's overall architecture, featuring its own engines and fuel supply which are designed to overcome the gravitational pull of the Earth.

Deutsch: Vorrichtung / Español: Dispositivo de sujeción / Português: Dispositivo de fixação / Français: Dispositif de fixation / Italiano: Dispositivo di fissaggio

Fixture in the space industry context refers to specialized devices, structures, or assemblies used to support, hold, or secure spacecraft components during manufacturing, testing, transport, or operations. These fixtures are crucial for ensuring the precise alignment, stability, and safety of spacecraft parts and systems under the various conditions they encounter, from the assembly process through launch and deployment. The design and use of fixtures are critical in maintaining the integrity and functionality of space systems, facilitating the complex processes involved in preparing spacecraft for their missions.

In the aerospace context, a flap is a type of high-lift device used to increase the lift of an aircraft's wing at a given airspeed.

A flare is the sudden, violent outburst of energy from a star’s surface.

Deutsch: Flug / Español: Vuelo / Português: Voo / Français: Vol / Italiano: Volo /

Flight is the process of operating aircraft or spacecraft in the air or in outer space. Flight involves a variety of activities and processes, including the design and construction of aircraft and spacecraft, the development of flight plans and procedures, and the operation of the aircraft or spacecraft during flight.

The flight level is the nominal altitude of an aircraft referenced to a standard pressure datum, as opposed to the real altitude above mean sea level.

Deutsch: Schwankung / Español: Fluctuación / Português: Flutuação / Français: Fluctuation / Italiano: Fluttuazione /

In the space industry context, fluctuation refers to variations or changes that can occur in space environments, operational conditions, or market dynamics. These fluctuations can significantly impact space missions, satellite operations, and the economic landscape of the space industry. Understanding and managing these fluctuations is crucial for the success and reliability of space endeavors.

In physics, a fluid is a liquid,, gas, or other material that continuously deforms (flows) under an applied shear stress, or external force. They have zero shear modulus, or, in simpler terms, are substances which cannot resist any shear force applied to them.

Deutsch: Fluxgate / Español: Fluxgate / Português: Fluxgate / Français: Fluxgate / Italiano: Fluxgate

Fluxgate in the space industry context refers to a type of magnetometer used primarily to measure the intensity and orientation of magnetic fields. Fluxgate magnetometers are commonly employed in satellite technology and space missions to study Earth's magnetic field and the magnetic fields of other planets and celestial bodies.

A flyby is a type of mission where a spacecraft flies by a celestial body, such as a planet, moon, or comet, at a relatively close distance without going into orbit around it.

In the aerospace context, Flyer refers to a machine or vehicle that is capable of flying or being flown, such as an aircraft, a spacecraft, or a drone.

Deutsch: Fokus / Español: Enfoque / Português: Foco / Français: Focalisation / Italiano: Focalizzazione /

In the aerospace context, focus refers to the specific area of research, development, or production that a company or organization is emphasizing or prioritizing. This can refer to a particular technology, capability, or market segment.

Deutsch: Filmmaterial / Español: metraje / Português: filmagem / Français: séquences vidéo / Italiano: filmato

Footage in the space industry context refers to video recordings and visual documentation captured during space missions, training sessions, simulations, and other space-related activities. This footage is crucial for scientific analysis, public engagement, educational purposes, and historical documentation.

Force refers to a measure of the strength or intensity of an interaction between two or more objects. Forces can be caused by a variety of factors, such as gravity, electromagnetism, and friction.

Deutsch: Prognose / Español: Pronóstico / Português: Previsão / Français: Prévision / Italiano: Previsione

Forecasting in the context of the space industry is the process of predicting future trends, events, and needs within the space sector. These predictions include estimates related to technological advancements, mission success rates, budget requirements, market demand for satellite services, and the impact of new regulations on space exploration and commercialization. Forecasting enables agencies and companies to make strategic decisions, manage risks, and allocate resources effectively.

Deutsch: Gründer / Español: fundador / Português: fundador / Français: fondateur / Italiano: fondatore

A founder in the space industry context refers to an individual or a group of individuals who establish and develop a company, organization, or initiative focused on space exploration, technology, or services. Founders are often visionaries who drive innovation, secure funding, and lead their organizations to achieve significant advancements in the space sector.

A field-programmable gate array (FPGA) is an integrated circuit, which can be changed, optimized or configured later (after manufacturing in the field) by a customer or a designer.

Deutsch: Fraunhofer / Español: Fraunhofer / Português: Fraunhofer / Français: Fraunhofer / Italiano: Fraunhofer

Fraunhofer in the space industry context refers to the Fraunhofer lines, a set of dark absorption lines seen in the solar spectrum, which were first observed and studied by the German physicist Joseph von Fraunhofer in the early 19th century. These lines are crucial for understanding the composition of the Sun and other stars, and they play a significant role in astronomical spectroscopy.

Deutsch: Französisch-Guayana / Español: Guayana Francesa / Português: Guiana Francesa / Français: Guyane Française / Italiano: Guiana Francese

French Guiana is a French overseas department located on the northeastern coast of South America. It plays a significant role in the space industry, primarily due to the presence of the Guiana Space Centre (Centre Spatial Guyanais, CSG), one of the world’s most important spaceports.