Minotaur V
Encyclopedia
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 (1,411 lb) of payload into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, or 447 kilograms (985.5 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.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
expendable launch system
Expendable launch system
An expendable launch system is a launch system that uses an expendable launch vehicle to carry a payload into space. The vehicles used in expendable launch systems are designed to be used only once , and their components are not recovered for re-use after launch...
derived from the Minotaur IV
Minotaur IV
Minotaur IV, also known as Peacekeeper SLV and OSP-2 PK is an active expendable launch system derived from the Peacekeeper missile. It is operated by Orbital Sciences Corporation, and made its maiden flight on 22 April 2010, carrying the HTV-2a Hypersonic Test Vehicle...
, itself a derivative of the Peacekeeper missile. It is being developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Orbital Sciences Corporation is an American company which specializes in the manufacturing and launch of satellites. Its Launch Systems Group is heavily involved with missile defense launch systems...
, and is scheduled to make its maiden flight in 2012 carrying the LADEE spacecraft for NASA
NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
.
The Minotaur V is a five stage vehicle, and is designed to place up to 640 kilograms (1,411 lb) of payload into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, or 447 kilograms (985.5 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
Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 8
Space Launch Complex 8 , is a launch pad at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, United States. It is used by Minotaur rockets...
at the Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
, Pad 0B
Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport Launch Pad 0
Launch Pad 0, Pad 0 or LP-0, also known as Launch Area 0 or LA-0, is a launch complex at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island in the United States. Prior to 2003, the complex was part of the Wallops Flight Facility. It consists of two individual launch pads, LP-0A and LP-0B...
at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport
Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport is a commercial space launch facility located at the southern tip of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility on the Delmarva Peninsula south of Chincoteague, Virginia.-Background:...
, and Pad 1 of the Kodiak Launch Complex
Kodiak Launch Complex
The Kodiak Launch Complex is a commercial rocket launch facility for sub-orbital and orbital space launch vehiclesowned and operated by the Alaska Aerospace Corporation, a public corporation of the State of Alaska....
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.