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Minotaur IV

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Minotaur IV
FunctionExpendable launch system
ManufacturerOrbital Sciences
Country of origin United States
Size
Height23.88 metres (78.3 ft)
Diameter2.34 metres (7 ft 8 in)
Mass86,300 kg
Stages4
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass1735 kg (28.5 deg, 185 km)
Associated rockets
FamilyMinotaur
Derivative workMinotaur V
Launch history
StatusDevelopment
Launch sitesSLC-8, Vandenberg AFB
LP-0B, MARS
LP-1, Kodiak
Total launches0
First flightApril 2010 (planned)
First stage – SR-118
Powered by1 Solid
Maximum thrust2,200 kilonewtons (490,000 lbf)
PropellantSolid
Second stage – SR-119
Powered by1 Solid
Maximum thrust1,365 kilonewtons (307,000 lbf)
Burn time54 seconds
PropellantSolid
Third stage – SR-120
Powered by1 Solid
Maximum thrust329 kilonewtons (74,000 lbf)
Burn time62 seconds
PropellantSolid
Fourth stage (Baseline) – Orion-38
Powered by1 Solid
Maximum thrust32.2 kilonewtons (7,200 lbf)
Burn time67.7 seconds
PropellantSolid
Fourth stage (Optional) – Star-48V
Powered by1 Solid
Maximum thrust68.6 kilonewtons (15,400 lbf)
Burn time84.1 seconds
PropellantSolid

The Minotaur IV, also known as Peacekeeper SLV and OSP-2 PK is an American expendable launch system derived from the Peacekeeper missile. It is being developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation, and was scheduled to make its maiden flight in October 2009, with the SBSS satellite for the United States Air Force. Currently its maiden flight is scheduled for April 2010.

The Minotaur IV is a four stage vehicle, capable of placing 1,735 kilograms (3,825 lb) of payload into a Low Earth orbit (LEO). It uses the first three stages of the Peacekeeper missile, combined with a new upper stage. On the baseline version, the fourth stage is an Orion-38, however a higher performance variant, designated Minotaur IV+, uses a Star-48V instead. A three stage configuration (no Orion-38), designated the Minotaur IV Lite, is available for Suborbital trajectories. A five stage derivative, the Minotaur V, is also under development.

Minotaur IV launches will be conducted from SLC-8 at Vandenberg Air Force Base, LP-0B at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, and Pad 1 of the Kodiak Launch Complex.

Launches

Date/Time (UTC) Variant Launch Site Payload Trajectory Outcome Remarks
2nd Q 2010 Minotaur IV Lite Vandenberg SLC-8 HTV-2a Suborbital Hypersonic Test Vehicle
2nd Q 2010 Minotaur IV Vandenberg SLC-8 SBSS LEO
3rd Q 2010 Minotaur IV Kodiak LP-1 STPSat-2
FASTRAC-A
FASTRAC-B
FalconSat-5
FASTSAT
O/OREOS
RAX
LEO Includes a Hydrazine Auxiliary
Propulsion System (HAPS) to take
the vehicle to a secondary orbit
3rd Q 2010 Minotaur IV+ Kodiak LP-1 TacSat-4 LEO First Minotaur IV+ launch
1st Q 2011 Minotaur IV Lite Vandenberg SLC-8 HTV-2b Suborbital
4th Q 2011 Minotaur IV Lite Vandenberg SLC-8 CSM Suborbital
3rd Q 2012 Minotaur IV Vandenberg SLC-8 TacSat-5 LEO Might launch on a Minotaur I

References

  • Krebs, Gunter. "Minotaur-3/-4/-5 (OSP-2 Peacekeeper SLV)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-03-04.
  • "Fact Sheet" (PDF). Minotaur IV. Orbital Sciences Corporation. Retrieved 2009-03-04.