Orbital Minotaur I - Manual

FACT SHEET
QUICK FACTS
System Features
• Full spacecraft integration support,
including mission management,
spacecraft interface support (power,
telemetry, sequencing, attitude
control, and deployment), through
launch operations and post-launch
performance evaluation
• Responsive launch solutions available
• Mission success is ensured by mature
systems and processes
- Orbital’s rigorous mission
assurance program
- Full government insight and
independent assessment
• Multiple spaceport launch capability
(California, Florida, Alaska, Mid-
Atlantic) using portable ground support
equipment
Overview
The Minotaur I Space Launch Vehicle (SLV) provides a responsive, reliable, and cost-effective launch
solution for U.S. Government-sponsored spacecraft. It builds on a long background of dependable
launch systems and has a demonstrated successful history. The Minotaur I SLV uses residual
Minuteman II first and second stage rocket motors along with the upper two stages shared with other
Orbital launch vehicles. The combination of decommissioned ICBM motors with commercial boosters
and state-of-the-art hardware is one of Orbital’s unique strengths from experience spanning several
decades.
The Minotaur family of launch vehicles are provided via the Orbital/Suborbital Program (OSP)
managed by the U.S. Air Force Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), Space Development and
Test Directorate (SMC/SD) Launch Systems Division (SMC/SDL) located at Kirtland Air Force Base,
New Mexico.
Minotaur I space launch vehicle – ready to
launch.
Minotaur I
Space Launch Vehicle