Minotaur V

Minotaur V
The first Minotaur V at MARS before the launch of LADEE.
FunctionExpendable launch system
ManufacturerNorthrop Grumman (Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems)
Country of originUnited States
Size
Height24.56 m
Diameter2.34 m
Mass89,373 kg
StagesFive
Capacity
Payload to GTO
Mass532 kg
Payload to TLI
Mass342 kg
Associated rockets
FamilyMinotaur
Launch history
StatusActive
Launch sitesSLC-8, Vandenberg AFB
LP-0B, MARS
LP-1, Kodiak
Total launches1
Success(es)1
First flight7 September 2013
First stage – SR-118
Powered by1 Solid
Maximum thrust2,200 kN (490,000 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 – Star-48BV
Powered by1 Solid
Maximum thrust64 kilonewtons (14,000 lbf)
Burn time84 seconds
PropellantSolid
Fifth stage (Baseline) – Star-37FM
Powered by1 Solid
Maximum thrust47.26 kilonewtons (10,620 lbf)
Burn time63 seconds
PropellantSolid
Fifth stage (Optional) – Star-37FMV
Powered by1 Solid
PropellantSolid

The Minotaur V is an American expendable launch system derived from the Minotaur IV, itself a derivative of the LGM-118 Peacekeeper ICBM. It was developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation, (now absorbed into Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems) and made its maiden flight on 7 September 2013 carrying the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer spacecraft for NASA.

Design

The Minotaur V is a five-stage vehicle, and is designed to place up to 630 kilograms (1,390 lb) of payload into a geosynchronous transfer orbit, or 342 kilograms (754 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-stabilized Star-37FM upper stage, and the other with a Star-37FMV capable of three-axis stabilization. The Star-37FMV upper stage is heavier, reducing payload capacity, but is more maneuverable.

Launch pads

Space Launch Complex 8 at the Vandenberg Air Force Base, Pad 0B at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), and Pad 1 of the Kodiak Launch Complex are all capable of accommodating the Minotaur V. As of 2013, all scheduled launches are from MARS.

Launch history

The initial launch of a Minotaur V occurred on 7 September 2013 at 03:27 UTC from Launch Pad 0B at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia. The payload for the maiden flight was the LADEE lunar exoatmosphere science spacecraft. While now separated from the LADEE spacecraft, both the fourth and fifth stages of the Minotaur V reached orbit, and are now derelict satellites in Earth orbit.

Flight number Date (UTC) Launch site Payload Orbit Outcome
1 September 7, 2013
03:27
MARS LP-0B LADEE LTO Success

This page was last updated at 2023-10-11 18:56 UTC. Update now. View original page.

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