Minotaur III

Minotaur III
FunctionHeavy suborbital launch system
ManufacturerOrbital Sciences
Country of originUnited States
Size
StagesFour
Capacity
Payload to 5000km S/O
Mass3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb)
Launch history
StatusDevelopment
Launch sitesVandenberg
Kodiak
First stage – SR-118
Powered by1 Solid
Maximum thrust1,607 kilonewtons (361,000 lbf)
Burn time83 seconds
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 – Super-HAPS
Powered by12 MR-107K
PropellantHydrazine

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.


This page was last updated at 2023-05-28 12:03 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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