-- Rocket to Launch NASA’s Lunar Spacecraft From
-- New Order Represents the 28th Minotaur Rocket Ordered Since 1997 --
The company’s new order brings the total number of Minotaur launch
vehicles procured by the
“We are pleased to support
LADEE is a
Minotaur V is a five-stage space launch vehicle capable of launching satellites weighing up to 650 Kg (1,425 lbs.) to geosynchronous transfer orbit or over 400 Kg (900 lbs.) to trans-lunar and other Earth-escape trajectories. The rocket’s first three stages consist of retired Peacekeeper rocket motors while its fourth and fifth stage motors are commercial Star 48 and Star 37 motors, respectively.
Orbital has launched a total of 16 Minotaur vehicles with a perfect
mission success record, beginning with the inaugural mission in
About the Minotaur Product Line
The Minotaur launch vehicle product line consists of the only proven
launch vehicles currently capable of supporting the
In addition to Minotaur V, Orbital’s Minotaur product line currently consists of the following configurations:
-
Minotaur I - The initial member of the Minotaur family, the
Minotaur I is a four-stage space launch configuration that can place
up to 1,300 lbs. into low-Earth orbit. It was originally launched in
January 2000 and has conducted a total of eight successful launches to date. - Minotaur II - A three-stage suborbital rocket, the Minotaur II is used as a target vehicle for testing U.S. missile defense systems and related missions. This configuration also has performed eight successful launches to date.
- Minotaur III - A three-stage suborbital rocket, Minotaur III can deliver suborbital technology demonstration payloads of up to 6,500 lbs. or serve as a target vehicle for testing U.S. missile defense systems and similar missions.
-
Minotaur IV - A heavier-lift four-stage space launch vehicle
using retired Peacekeeper rocket motors, the Minotaur IV is capable of
launching satellites weighing up to 3,800 lbs. into low-Earth orbit.
The first Minotaur IV mission is currently in final preparations to
launch the SBSS satellite for the
U.S. Air Force in late 2009.
About Orbital
Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space systems for commercial, military and civil government customers. The company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target vehicles. Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related technical services to government agencies and laboratories.
Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=6048227&lang=en
Source:
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Barron Beneski, 703-406-5528
Public
and Investor Relations
beneski.barron@orbital.com