Minotaur III

Minotaur III
Function Heavy suborbital launch system
Manufacturer Orbital Sciences
Country of origin United States
Size
Stages Four
Capacity
Payload to 5000km S/O 3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb)
Launch history
Status Development
Launch sites Vandenberg
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 – Super-HAPS
Engines 12 MR-107K
Fuel Hydrazine

The Minotaur III, also known as OSP-2 Target Launch Vehicle, Peacekeeper TLV or OSP-2 TLV is an American rocket derived from the LGM-118 Peacekeeper missile. It is a member of the Minotaur family of rockets produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation, and is used for long range suborbital launches with heavy payloads.

Minotaur III rockets consist of four stages; the SR-118 first stage, SR-119 second stage and SR-120 third stage of a decommissioned Peacekeeper missile, with a Super-HAPS fourth stage, derived from the HAPS stage used on Pegasus and Minotaur I rockets. The Minotaur III is capable of launching a 3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb) payload 5,000 kilometres (3,100 mi) downrange on a suborbital trajectory.

Minotaur III launches will be conducted from Vandenberg Air Force Base and the Kodiak Launch Complex.

References


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