Minotaur (rocket family)

The Minotaur is a family of American solid fuel rockets derived from converted Minuteman and Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missiles. They are built by Orbital Sciences Corporation.

Two variants of the Minotaur are currently in service. The Minotaur I is an orbital launch system used to launch small satellites into low Earth orbit (LEO). The Minotaur II, also known as Chimera and TLV, is used for suborbital flights, often as a target for tracking and anti-ballistic missile tests. The Minotaur IV is a more capable LEO launch system. Two more versions are also under development. These are the Minotaur III, which will also be used for suborbital flights, and the Minotaur V, which is designed to reach higher orbits, including GTO and trans-lunar trajectories. The Minotaur I and II are derived from the Minuteman missile, while the Minotaur III, IV and V are derived from the Peacekeeper.

Minotaur I

The original Minotaur launch vehicle, consisting of an M55A1 first stage, SR19 second stage, Orion 50XL third stage, Orion 38 fourth stage, and optional HAPS fifth stage for velocity trim and multiple payload deployment. Payload 580 kg to a 185 km, 28.5 degree orbit from Cape Canaveral; or 310 kg to a 740 km sun-synchronous orbit from Vandenberg.^[1]

Minotaur II

A suborbital target vehicle, essentially consisting of a Minuteman II with Orbital guidance and control systems. Consists of M55A1 first stage, SR19 second stage, and M57 third stage. Payload 460 kg on 6700 km suborbital trajectory.^[1]

Minotaur III

A suborbital target vehicle, consisting of an SR-118 first stage, SR-119 second stage, SR-120 third stage, and Super HAPS fourth stage. Payload 3060 kg on a 6700 km suborbital trajectory.^[1]

Minotaur IV

The Minotaur IV combines U.S Government-furnished solid rocket motors from decommissioned Peacekeeper ICBMs with technologies from other Orbital-built launch vehicles, including the Minotaur I, Pegasus, and Taurus. The Minotaur IV launch vehicle consists of an SR118 first stage, SR119 second stage, SR120 third stage, and Orion 38 fourth stage. Payload 1735 kg to a 185 km, 28.5 degree orbit from Cape Canaveral. The first Minotaur IV was launched April 22, 2010 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.^[2] This vehicle is also being developed to accommodate the Conventional Prompt Global Strike mission for the Air Force. (CPGS)

Minotaur V

A Minotaur V five-stage version has also been conceptualized. It would have an additional upper stage for small GTO, lunar, and interplanetary missions. NASA has awarded a contract to the Orbital Sciences Corporation, managed by the Air Force's Space Development and Test Wing (SDTW), to use a Minotaur V to launch the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) Mission from the Wallops Island, Virginia launch site in early 2013. The Minotaur will launch the LADEE spacecraft into a highly elliptic orbit where it can phase and time its trajectory burn to the moon.

Launch history

References

External links

• Minotaur I Rocket page
• Minotaur IV Rocket page
• Image of the September 2005 launch
• Encyclopedia Astronautix Entry for Minotaur