Orbital Minotaur I - Manual (Page 26)

Minotaur I User’s Guide Section 3.0 – General Performance
3.2.1. Western Launch Sites
For missions requiring high inclination orbits (greater than 60°), launches can be conducted from facilities
at VAFB or Kodiak Island, AK, as shown in Figure 3.2-2. Inclinations below 72° from VAFB are possible,
but require an out-of-plane dogleg, thereby reducing payload capability. Minotaur I is nominally launched
from the California Spaceport facility, Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8) operated by Spaceport Systems
International (SSI), on South VAFB. The launch facility at Kodiak Island, operated by the Alaska
Aerospace Development Corporation (AADC) has been used for both orbital and suborbital launches,
including past launches of Minotaur IV.
3.2.2. Eastern Launch Sites
For easterly launch azimuths to achieve orbital inclinations between 28.5° and 55°, launches can be
conducted from facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL (CCAFS) or Wallops Island, VA (WFF).
Launches from Florida will nominally use the Space Florida launch facilities at LC-46 on CCAFS. Typical
inclinations are from 28.5° to 50°; however, higher inclination trajectories may be accommodated by using
northerly ascent trajectories. These would need to consider the potential of European overflight and
require range safety assessment. The Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) facilities at the WFF may
be used for inclinations from 37.8° to 55°. Some inclinations and/or altitudes may have reduced
performance due to range safety considerations and will need to be evaluated on a case-by-case
mission-specific basis.
3.2.3. Alternate Launch Sites
Other launch facilities can be readily used given the flexibility designed into the Minotaur I vehicle, ground
support equipment, and the various interfaces. Orbital has experience launching vehicles from a variety of
sites around the world. To meet the requirements of performing mission operations from alternative,
austere launch sites, Orbital can provide self contained, transportable shelters for launch operations as
an unpriced option. The mobile equivalent of the LCR is the Launch Support Van (LSV), and the mobile
LEV is the Launch Equipment Van.
3.3. Performance Capability
Minotaur I performance curves for circular orbits of various altitudes and inclinations are detailed in Figure
3.3-1 through Figure 3.3-8 for launches from all four Spaceports in metric and English units. These
performance curves provide the total mass above the standard, non-separating interface. The mass of
the separation system and any Payload Attach Fitting (PAF) that is attached to the 38.81” interface, is to
be accounted for in the payload mass allocation. Table 3.3-1 shows a number of common options and the
mass associated with each.
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