| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Orbital Sciences |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Diameter | 1.67 m |
| Stages | Five |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to GTO |
640 kg |
| Payload to TLI |
447 kg |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Minotaur |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Development |
| Launch sites | SLC-8, Vandenberg AFB LP-0B, MARS LP-1, Kodiak |
| First Stage - SR-118 | |
| Engines | 1 Solid |
| Thrust | 1,607 kilonewtons (361,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 83 seconds |
| Fuel | Solid |
| Second Stage - SR-119 | |
| Engines | 1 Solid |
| Thrust | 1,365 kilonewtons (307,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 54 seconds |
| Fuel | Solid |
| Third Stage - SR-120 | |
| Engines | 1 Solid |
| Thrust | 329 kilonewtons (74,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 62 seconds |
| Fuel | Solid |
| Fourth Stage - Star-48V | |
| Engines | 1 Solid |
| Thrust | 64 kilonewtons (14,000 lbf) |
| Burn time | 84 seconds |
| Fuel | Solid |
| Fifth Stage (Baseline) - Star-37FM | |
| Engines | 1 Solid |
| Thrust | 47.26 kilonewtons (10,620 lbf) |
| Burn time | 63 seconds |
| Fuel | Solid |
| Fifth Stage (Optional) - Star-37FMV | |
| Engines | 1 Solid |
| Thrust | |
| Fuel | Solid |
The Minotaur V is an American expendable launch system derived from the Minotaur IV, itself a derivative of the Peacekeeper missile. It is being developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation, and is scheduled to make its maiden flight in 2012 carrying the LADEE spacecraft for NASA.
The Minotaur V is a five stage vehicle, and is designed to place up to 640 kilograms (1,400 lb) of payload into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, or 447 kilograms (990 lb) on a trans-lunar trajectory. It consists of a Minotaur IV+, with a Star-37 as a fifth stage. Two variants are available, one with a spin-stabilised Star-37FM upper stage, and the other with a Star-37FMV capable of three-axis stabilisation. The Star-37FMV upper stage is heavier, reducing payload capacity, but is more manoeuvrable.
Space Launch Complex 8 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Pad 0B at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, and Pad 1 of the Kodiak Launch Complex are all capable of accommodating the Minotaur V, however as of 2009, no launches are scheduled from anywhere except MARS.Or Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport In Wallops Island VA.
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