Are you working on Firefly blueprints?????? by WaddleDoodle

GENERAL DISCUSSIONS

Are you working on Firefly blueprints??????

POSTED BY: WADDLEDOODLE
UPDATED: Wednesday, November 2, 2005 08:49
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Thursday, October 21, 2004 3:42 PM

Good, I am too.

I'm trying to figure out the ships GENERAL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

03-K64 Mid-bulk,Radion cored,Multi role transport AKA Firefly-class transport

Details like the ships-

Overall length:

Width:

Height:

Wing-span:

Gross weight:

Gross Cargo Capacity:

Did I forget anything???

Anyone crunch some numbers? Anyone have an opinion? Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

Thanks!

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Tuesday, October 26, 2004 7:53 AM

MICHIZURE

Quote:
Originally posted by WaddleDoodle:
I'm trying to figure out the ships GENERAL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

"Midbulk transport, standard radion-accelerator core, classcode 03-K64, Firefly."

Overall length: 58.2m (Mr. Whedon says "191 feet" in "Serenity: the 10th Character" on the 4th DVD.)

The rest are estimates, based on pictures:

Height: 16m

Wing-span: 37m (engines extended)

Max Gross Takeoff Weight: probably around 4,000 tons

Cargo Bay: 15 x 12 x 5.6-8.4m, or 1,000-1,500m3

--------
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/traveller/fartrader
Far Trader: the handbook for interstellar merchants.

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Tuesday, October 26, 2004 9:17 AM

WADDLEDOODLE

Well done! Thanks very much....This will complete the blue prints and background I've been working on for the Firefly class. It's about 25 pages, over a year worth of work. How very sad it is not to sleep....lol.

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Tuesday, October 26, 2004 3:06 PM

WADDLEDOODLE

Quote:
Originally posted by Michizure:
Quote:
Originally posted by WaddleDoodle:
I'm trying to figure out the ships GENERAL TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS:

"Midbulk transport, standard radion-accelerator core, classcode 03-K64, Firefly."

Overall length: 58.2m (Mr. Whedon says "191 feet" in "Serenity: the 10th Character" on the 4th DVD.)

The rest are estimates, based on pictures:

Height: 16m

Wing-span: 37m (engines extended)

Max Gross Takeoff Weight: probably around 4,000 tons

Cargo Bay: 15 x 12 x 5.6-8.4m, or 1,000-1,500m3

--------
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/traveller/fartrader
Far Trader: the handbook for interstellar merchants.

Okat...follow up questions:

1)The 191 feet comment...do you believe he was talking about the size of the ACTUAL set -OR- the hypothetical ship? It sounds like such an odd number to pull out of the air, so I'm inclined to believe it's the set. I'm thinking the Firefly may actually be a little longer.

2) Cargo bay volume...Traveller specs? If so, good choice. How did you arrive at that set of figures?

3) Cargo capacity in Tonnage class. As in, "1,000 Ton cargo capacity."

All comments appreciated!

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Wednesday, October 27, 2004 10:55 AM

MICHIZURE

Quote:
Originally posted by WaddleDoodle:
1)The 191 feet comment...do you believe he was talking about the size of the ACTUAL set -OR- the hypothetical ship?

When I estimated the length from features in the photographs (e.g., hatches, windows), I got ~60m. Since the set ends well before the actual aft of the ship, I tend to believe Mr. Whedon was talking the ship, not the set.

Quote:
2) Cargo bay volume...Traveller specs? If so, good choice. How did you arrive at that set of figures?

Not Traveller: that would be in dtons, not cubic meters. Again, I measured what I could from available drawings and photos, and estimated the rest. The uncertainty is mostly due to the catwalks -- can they be removed and stowed, or not?

Quote:
3) Cargo capacity in Tonnage class. As in, "1,000 Ton cargo capacity."

That's a loaded question (pardon the pun), as there are several different sorts of "ton" in general usage.

Most surface ships displace 3.2-3.5m3 per deadweight ton; this is the figure I used to come up with the "around 4,000 tons GTOW" from 11,000 m3. At this rate, the cargo capacity might be ~400 tons (300-480 tons range).

Another measure is a "register ton," which is 100 ft3 or 2.8 m3. That would result in a cargo capacity more like 360-540 tons. This is a good average figure for general cargo (which is why it's defined that way) but doesn't account for extremely dense objects like steel pipe.

A good upper bound is probably related to area more than volume, as it reflects what the deck can withstand. At 180m2 and 4 tons/m2, that's a max capacity of 720 tons.

In Traveller dtons (14 m3 each), the hold is 72-108 dtons, out of a total displacement of ~800 dtons. Needless to say, dtons are much the largest "ton" measure used.

--------
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/traveller/fartrader
Far Trader: the handbook for interstellar merchants.

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Wednesday, October 27, 2004 3:38 PM

WADDLEDOODLE

Okay Michizure, you get the shiney hat and a pat on the back.

Thanks for all your help.

Did I miss any other spec? Any thoughts?

This info will fit rather nicely on the main page.

The balance of what I've been doing over the past year is writing a detailed history of the Firefly and it variants. I'm up the 61st footnote.

Hey, what do you think about the means of propulsion? What sort of velocity are we talking here? I prefered to go the real science route with any divergance being based in reality. Are you one of those "warp", "stardrive" or "Stutterwarp" fellows?

Hey, you can e-mail me at:

kkusenko@nopworld.com

Drop me a line.

K

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Wednesday, October 27, 2004 7:45 PM

CAPNRAHN

I do believe Mr. Whedon was talking about the length of the built set not the vessel. Watch the tour of Serenity Set as well.

Call up zoic and see what they used as a benchmark and what sizes they used - since they put CGI folks thu the top galley window.

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Thursday, October 28, 2004 2:11 AM

SHEPPARD

I have blueprints from the "press kit," but they're only of the engine room, corridor and doorway. Based on those set dimensions, I was actually considering drawing up scaled prints for the rest of the ship based on all the set pictures I have, and then I was going to enlist my company drafter to model Serenity in SolidWorks.... Yes, I'm a geek. Unfortunately, I haven't had the time. Call me crazy, but it still sounds like a very fun thing to do.

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Thursday, October 28, 2004 2:34 AM

CAPNRAHN

Have you seen the deckplans gaidheal made and posted in the Blue Sun room? WOW.

Here are the links:

Upper and Lower Decks
http://fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=704

Mid-Decks
http://fireflyfans.net/sunroomitem.asp?i=705

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Thursday, October 28, 2004 2:43 AM

UNCHARTEDOUTLAW

Wow, that's freakin' fascinating! :) If anyone does come up with a good propultion explanation, pass it along to me...I can use it in a story I'm working on right now.

-Taylor

Uncharted Outlaw!
"The secret is understanding time."
See my Firefly Store: http://www.cafepress.com/NorCalRiviera

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Thursday, October 28, 2004 2:52 AM

CAPNRAHN

One could surmise it is a plasma base that is accelerated by the spinning ring of the gravity drive {the bit wrapped around the 'waist' of a Firefly}. IOW - Forcing compressed superheated plasma out of the Firefly class' aft vents much like a Ion drive - but with a 'kick in the arse' instead of the slow build up of said Ion drive.

It is theorized that Ion drives or even compressed hydrogen drives (Bussard Ram-Jets} could make a speed signifantly close to the averages speed of light of 186,000 miles per second. Local space/time 'fabric', gravitic and aether {for the lack of a better word} density can alter that speed.

Does that help?

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Thursday, October 28, 2004 4:30 AM

UNCHARTEDOUTLAW

Wow, that actually is a very good explanation. I like it. Thanks!!

-Taylor

Uncharted Outlaw!
"The secret is understanding time."
See my Firefly Store: http://www.cafepress.com/NorCalRiviera

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Friday, October 29, 2004 10:19 AM

WADDLEDOODLE

So are we talking the scoop which compresses and vents a stream of particles....otherwise, if we go the plasma route, how is the plasma generated?

I've always had some issues about the engine. The small "spinner" that is the "heart" of the ship, that in "Out of Gas" wouldn't spin so the ship was dead. What do you think it is? It's TINY when compared to the rest of the engineering section. I was thinking that it may be the "heart" of the ship but is actually a smaller component of a larger system. Perhaps a high power generator. Since in "Serenity" Wash mentions fuel cells, I gathered they were chemical fuel cells (not cells in the bladder sense) which without "we're not going anywhere." So the chem fuel cells power the generator ("the spinner") that in turn works a dynamo that magnifies it's energy output. This operates the "ring" which I gathered was a particle collector.

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Friday, October 29, 2004 10:39 AM

CAPNRAHN

The fuel cells {in today's parlance is pure hydrogen} could contain the reactant -- hydrogen or even a 'heavier' atomic base molecule.

I think the interior engine is much like the distributor/electrical 'junction'/catalizer (not the itty bitty one that broke in "OoG"} for the plasma generation reaction.

The exterior 'hula-hoop' does not seem to be structured as a ram-scoop and no mention has ever been made about 'suckin' up fuel' - much to the opposite - if they could - they would not have to obtain fuel cells - except for back up storage/emergancy supplies.

No, I think the hula-hoop is the "Gravity Drive" - super dense fluids are rotated in opposing directions and then the 'gravity' is dispersed through web-work built into the vessel's decks.

Now this can also provide a VERY important element to the drive system I mention in my previous post. And that is the hula-hoop could function as a particle accelerator to strip electrons from the hydrogen in the fuel cells and produce the high energy photon bundles that we see as the burst of light and gas emitted from the aft vents during a hard-burn.

The science I present is still a bit widgy, but it sorta works ...

How's that sound?

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Friday, October 29, 2004 12:55 PM

WADDLEDOODLE

I’ve always liked the theoretical particle called “Gravitons.”

The use of Gravitons would kill two birds with one stone. G-particles could be used to propel the ship through “gravity pulses” AND also be used to provide gravity to all decks. I envision the “Hula hoop” as a graviton collector. Like any particle, they would swirl through space waiting to be scooped up.

I have an idea….

Lets hammer out the purpose of the different components 1) mentioned in the show and 2) seen on the show that related to a) propulsion b) power generation c) gravity.

Life support, Commo, Sensors, etc can be explained with conventional science and theoretical sciences.

Off the top of my melon regarding propulsion:

Parts mentioned by the crew:
Trace compression block
Gravity boot

Parts seen by the viewer:
“Hula” hoop
“Spinner”
Vents covering the aft portion of the ship

Can we agree on some points about the VTOL pods to get them aside? I imagined them as air breathing turbines in Atmo, but hydrogen SCRAM jets in vaccum. If not, by all means, lets hammer it out.

EDITED TO ADD:

As far as the "Hula hoop" being used as collector~ I imagined a generated magnetic funnel.
Not unlike the BUSSARD Collector theorized by NASA for hydrogen collection.

Different note: The visible venting plasma from the rear third of the ship (behind the hula hoop) that we know as FULL BURN may not be the vents only use. It's possible they are venting non-visible particles...be the particles Gravitons...or Ionized.

Hey folks, I'm not married to my ideas....that's why I'm interested in pooling together ideas.

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Friday, October 29, 2004 4:37 PM

CAPNRAHN

No Worries! But at the moment I am doing some research - as soon as I have collated the data - I'll post it here.

Could take a day or three, so in the mean-time carry on discussin'! OR ya can also figger out what ta call us engineerin' fanatics!

I'll be back ...

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Saturday, October 30, 2004 4:27 AM

WADDLEDOODLE

Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

Technophiles?

Geek Squad?

Or my favorite:

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Sunday, October 31, 2004 11:21 AM

CAPNRAHN

Kaylee's Angels... hee hee

"Remember, there is only ONE absolute - There ARE NO absolutes!!!"

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Friday, November 5, 2004 9:27 AM

WADDLEDOODLE

Okay, here's a few thoughts of how I see the Firefly Universe.

SPACE TRAVEL

By the flight scenes, I gathered that "Serenity" travels in real space. No "Warp" or "StutterWarp" technology is used. Just speed. Since ships have systems aboard to generate gravity, perhaps the theoretical particle dubbed the Graviton is the culprit. If so, then I would theorize that Gravitons could be used for propulsion. Perhaps collected and directed.

Anyway, all that aside, I figued that the travel speed was somewhere in the range of 15-25% of the speed of light.

Distances from Earth in terms of 1-way light travel time:The Moon: 1.5 light-seconds away
The Sun:8 light-minutes awayMars:4 to 20 light-minutes awayPluto:8 light-hours away.

Multiply those values by 4 for 25% light speed. 32 hours from Earth to Pluto....that's pretty good speed and would allow good distances to be covered.

[SIDE BAR] These travel speeds would have to assume that the Firefly universe is a collection of a large number of star systems, all within days, weeks or even months if spanning all of the known 'verse, of each other. I figure that when man first moved to the stars, travel time spanned years or decades. I'm not stating that they used Generation ships, but perhaps leap frogged coreward towards dense packed solar systems. Strings of colonies. And since the technology to terraform worlds (probably over decades or centuries) is used, perhaps the various habitable planets were just lifeless planetoids that earlier generations began "processing"

Any thoughts are welcome.

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Wednesday, November 10, 2004 6:43 PM

WADDLEDOODLE

CapnRahn?

Anyone? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller?

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Saturday, October 29, 2005 2:28 AM

RABBIT2

Ok, Based on a lot of recent info from the movie.
Serenity is NOT a starship.
The worlds and moons in Joss`s `verse are all terraformed bodies located in a single solar system. My best guess, assuming that FTL does not exist at all in the `verse is that the central star is either Tau Ceti or 61 Cygni, since they are similar type stars to the Sun and close enough to be reachable assuming drives capable of high sub light speeds.
Serenity appears to have two drive systems, an anti gravity/thruster type drive for atmospheric flight and an in-system fusion drive which appears to cause a small thermonuclear explosion when used in atmosphere, (see the firefly pilot episode).

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Saturday, October 29, 2005 2:59 PM

THOLO

I would like to know if anybody has info on a model kit of serentiy????

what about a die cast toy or something?

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Monday, October 31, 2005 12:00 PM

WADDLEDOODLE

Quote:
Originally posted by Rabbit2:
Ok, Based on a lot of recent info from the movie.
Serenity is NOT a starship.
The worlds and moons in Joss`s `verse are all terraformed bodies located in a single solar system. My best guess, assuming that FTL does not exist at all in the `verse is that the central star is either Tau Ceti or 61 Cygni, since they are similar type stars to the Sun and close enough to be reachable assuming drives capable of high sub light speeds.
Serenity appears to have two drive systems, an anti gravity/thruster type drive for atmospheric flight and an in-system fusion drive which appears to cause a small thermonuclear explosion when used in atmosphere, (see the firefly pilot episode).

Agreed....she's not a starship. Matter of fact, the only real magic is the gravity drive and the gravity generated by lifesupport. Otherwise it's a bucket with high power thrusters that beat the laws of phsyics into submission, like a helicopter.

I like your thoughts on star system locations. We can only assume that generationships where used after high speed robot terraformer vessels were sent in advance to prep the destination. This "Exodus" may have been in waves over 2 or 3 generations. Personally, the "Earth got used up" part is rather vague and far too hollywood. We can only assume it means we polluted ourselves off the Earth. If so, then why not use the terraforming tech to clean the atmo? It's not like the Genesis Device from Star Trek 2, is it? That would be a wonder far beyond the Firefly universe's science because at it's core is matter transformation...the same principles behind the replicators, transporters, etc. I think it's just a lazy premise for why we left. I'd prefer that man did something far more stupid and probable, like a nuclear winter following a global war. I suppose it's an "educational experience" if you go he other way.

Regarding the ship - My thoughts were that for atmo flight they use conventional high-thrust vtol engines that suck air and blow it. But in a vaccum they act as hydrogen scram jets used primarily for steering. We see the nacelles venting blue, which I think is the engine sucking in and venting compressed particles, probably via the same gravity field control system the primary engine uses. HOWEVER, with all that said, the nacelles can also simply burn a liquid fuel/oxy mix that would work in and out of atmo.

I don't think the primary interstellar drive is fusion based because Wash references "Fuel Cells" that might run out if "they burn too hot" PLUS I don't recall ever hearing the term fusion in reference to planetary power grids, ships, etc. I think the turning portion of the engine, what we see as the heart of the ship, is a high power generator that powers all other systems, including a much larger Gravity Drive section that encloses the rear of the ship. This Gravity drive generates the (-to us, the theoretical-) particle known as a graviton. The gavitons are vented and give forward linear thrust while the nacelles provide steering. The "Firefly effect" of the venting may be exactly that, vented fuel that's ignited to create an afterburner thrust for a high power impulse. The act of venting in atmo with a strong planetary magnetic field may distrupt the ships systems and cause the fuel dump to be under less control, hence the danger of a blowback that Zoe mentioned in the pilot. I'm guessing the gravity drive works best in space away from large plantery bodies and there grav wells.

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Tuesday, November 1, 2005 10:07 AM

R1Z

I REALLY hate to pick at nits, here, but I have to raise one semantic point.

There are no more "blueprints". Nobody has made a "blueprint" in nearly 30 years.

A "blueprint", which was a diazo-process reproduction of an original drawing on a translucent medium, usually either vellum or drafting linen, had white lines on a dark blue background.

A "blue line" drawing has blue lines on a faint blue background. It also is a a diazo-process reproduction of an original drawing on a translucent medium.

Large format drawings are properly "construction documents" or "technical drawings." Originals are nowadays produced in CADD software and printed on a plotter, either ink-jet or xerographic, and the copies are usually made on what's essentially a large format laser printer. They have black lines on a white background.

Some small operations still make blue-lines (cheap copies), but blueprint paper has not been available for many years, and the machines that used it were junked long ago.

To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks. --Robt. Heinlein

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Tuesday, November 1, 2005 10:37 AM

WADDLEDOODLE

Quote:
Originally posted by R1Z:
I REALLY hate to pick at nits, here, but I have to raise one semantic point.

There are no more "blueprints". Nobody has made a "blueprint" in nearly 30 years.

A "blueprint", which was a diazo-process reproduction of an original drawing on a translucent medium, usually either vellum or drafting linen, had white lines on a dark blue background.

A "blue line" drawing has blue lines on a faint blue background. It also is a a diazo-process reproduction of an original drawing on a translucent medium.

Large format drawings are properly "construction documents" or "technical drawings." Originals are nowadays produced in CADD software and printed on a plotter, either ink-jet or xerographic, and the copies are usually made on what's essentially a large format laser printer. They have black lines on a white background.

Some small operations still make blue-lines (cheap copies), but blueprint paper has not been available for many years, and the machines that used it were junked long ago.

I think you answered the wrong question....you wanted to post that answer in "A brief history of engineering schematics" -AKA- "How I learned to love the Blueprint"

Anyhow....

Do you have the blueprints of the ship or don't ya?
If you do, I hope they're on crumbling papyrus which was hand painted by the high priest's of Ur. Ya know, extra "ancient-like" just to inflame your already agitated nit that you can't stop picking.

Anyhow...back to our regularly scheduled post...

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Wednesday, November 2, 2005 2:53 AM

CLJOHNSTON108

Quote:
Originally posted by R1Z:
I REALLY hate to pick at nits, here, but I have to raise one semantic point.

There are no more "blueprints". Nobody has made a "blueprint" in nearly 30 years.

In the absolutely literal sense, you are quite correct!

The term became something of a misnomer generations ago, but it's also an idiom, so it remains a valid synonym for a detailed plan or diagram.

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=define%3Ablueprint&btnG=Google+Se
arch

You want a true misnomer?
Dig this: Fireflies are actually beetles, not flies.

---------------
Deep Thoughts
by Jack Handey...

"Whether they ever find life there or not, I think Jupiter should be considered an enemy planet."

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Wednesday, November 2, 2005 6:33 AM

PURPLEYIN

Quote:
Originally posted by WaddleDoodle:
This "Exodus" may have been in waves over 2 or 3 generations. Personally, the "Earth got used up" part is rather vague and far too hollywood. We can only assume it means we polluted ourselves off the Earth. If so, then why not use the terraforming tech to clean the atmo? It's not like the Genesis Device from Star Trek 2, is it? That would be a wonder far beyond the Firefly universe's science because at it's core is matter transformation...the same principles behind the replicators, transporters, etc. I think it's just a lazy premise for why we left. I'd prefer that man did something far more stupid and probable, like a nuclear winter following a global war. I suppose it's an "educational experience" if you go he other way.

Love your idea about a nuclear winter, beats my idea about running out of raw materials, which in retrospect could have been harvested from the rest of our system. Now we have to figure out who started the war and who lost the war. Probably by looking for various nationalities no longer present in 500 years...

About the destination of the exodus-ships, keep in mind that it would be far more energy efficient to keep the passengers in a deep state of hibernation, or stasis (not sure about the efficiency of stasis... since the technology isn’t real yet). if stasis was used, then the stellar system the 'verse is set in could be allot further away than we are thinking- what's 10000 years if none of your race is awake during them?

I think in 'serenity: the 10th character' it’s mentioned as a fusion drive, and if it is then the fuel cells could be used to initiate bubble-fusion.
Are we sure river didn’t say radon, or was it definitely radion?

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Wednesday, November 2, 2005 8:49 AM

WADDLEDOODLE

Quote:
Originally posted by PurpleYin:
Quote:
Originally posted by WaddleDoodle:
This "Exodus" may have been in waves over 2 or 3 generations. Personally, the "Earth got used up" part is rather vague and far too hollywood. We can only assume it means we polluted ourselves off the Earth. If so, then why not use the terraforming tech to clean the atmo? It's not like the Genesis Device from Star Trek 2, is it? That would be a wonder far beyond the Firefly universe's science because at it's core is matter transformation...the same principles behind the replicators, transporters, etc. I think it's just a lazy premise for why we left. I'd prefer that man did something far more stupid and probable, like a nuclear winter following a global war. I suppose it's an "educational experience" if you go he other way.

Love your idea about a nuclear winter, beats my idea about running out of raw materials, which in retrospect could have been harvested from the rest of our system. Now we have to figure out who started the war and who lost the war. Probably by looking for various nationalities no longer present in 500 years...

About the destination of the exodus-ships, keep in mind that it would be far more energy efficient to keep the passengers in a deep state of hibernation, or stasis (not sure about the efficiency of stasis... since the technology isn’t real yet). if stasis was used, then the stellar system the 'verse is set in could be allot further away than we are thinking- what's 10000 years if none of your race is awake during them?

I think in 'serenity: the 10th character' it’s mentioned as a fusion drive, and if it is then the fuel cells could be used to initiate bubble-fusion.
Are we sure river didn’t say radon, or was it definitely radion?

I'll start my answer from the end and work back.

I harvested the River line from the script and felt obligated to maintain it rather than change it to Radon. Though Radon only gives a marginally better clue. Oh well, I'm in a prison of my own making...LOL. I researched both the use of Radon (from the periodic table) -AND- "Radion" (an as unyet discovered element, NOT radioactive nor fuel though) and decided to go with Radion. Another X-Factor/Magic future science

The using up all of our raw materials angle is a popular myth like over population was in the 1970's. It's soooooooooooo Hollywood chic because it requires no actual thought, it's "like, just the way it is man"
Cooler heads who review the numbers know better (numbers don't lie) while those with an agenda bend and twist and scare for their own ends.

SIDEBAR:
Here's a teaser for a very interesting article from WIRED mag:

"Statement: Urban sprawl is paving over the United States, including much "prime agricultural land" and recreational areas.

Fact: All the land used for urban areas plus roadways totals less than 3 percent of the United States.... Each year 1.25 million acres are converted to efficient cropland by draining swamps and irrigating deserts.... A million acres yearly goes into additional wilderness recreation areas and wildlife refuges, and another 300,000 acres goes for reservoirs and flood control."

You can read the source for that here: http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/5.02/ffsimon_pr.html

BACK!

As to the who, I have a history that I wrote out that in part covers the colonization as well. Man began colonizing this other solar system out of a drive to EXPLORE...not as some last ditch way to save the race. In the end the global war and its effects caused an exodus to the colonies as a last refuge.

I think stasis isn't a bad idea, but I figured larger generation ships following high thrust robot prep ships seemed more "non-magical." Basically we're talking a very large self sustaining craft that could house several hundred or thousand and would take decades to reach the final destination. Who's to say that there aren't way stations strung between our solar system and "the 'verse"

You may be right re: the fusion. But I opted to go the simpler way because that seems to be the hallmark of the Firefly Universe. That even 500 years in the future, sometimes a horse is still the better choice over an anti-grav system. It's practical. "Serentiy" limiting the 'verse to a single large solar system further reenforces that for me. Furthermore, there are probably fusion powered ships, but I'd think they would be the very large and/or the very modern. Like in our world we have Nuclear powered ships, but they're large and run by the .gov.

The main force for me was keeping things as close to real science as possible. The reason being as I stated earlier, it seems to be the intent or spirit that Wheadon was going for. There are no replicators, they have to store provisions, etc. It put's the focus on story, not gadgetry.

So far the only real magic I could think of was the grav/anti-grav. Even that has a few good theories that rationalize it's eventual discovery (i.e. gravitons)

Furthermore, since Serenity has rotary turbines at the tips of it's wings instead of anti-frav because at the time of it's launch it was the best they had. New ships (like the sleek vessel the 2 agents used in "Ariel") *may* use only newer more compact antigrav propulsion. The Firefly uses the same antigrav technology, but in a much larger form - i.e. it's main drive.
Who's to say there aren't retro fitted Firefly that are sporting anti-grav pods?

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