The plan is to first launch a service craft -- replete with robotic arms and enough processing horsepower to work independently if needed -- followed by the tiny base-unit skeleton satlets.

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After launching the FireFly probes in 2015, the company seeks to launch a larger craft, named DragonFly, in 2016 which will be able to return between 30 to 60 kgs of material to Earth.

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The craft will likely launch vertically from a booster -- just like NASA rockets -- with up to 50 passengers onboard.

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