Function | Expendable launch system |
---|---|
Manufacturer |
|
Cost per launch | $50 million [1] |
Size | |
Height | 23.88 metres (78.3 ft) |
Diameter | 2.34 metres (7 ft 8 in) |
Mass | 86,300 kg |
Stages | 4 |
Capacity | |
Payload to 200 km 28.5° LEO | |
Mass | IV: 1,591 kg (3,508 lb) IV+: 1,837 kg (4,050 lb)[2] |
Payload to 6600km S/O | |
Mass | IV Lite: 3,000 kilograms (6,600 lb)[2] |
Associated rockets | |
Family | Minotaur |
Derivative work | Minotaur V |
Launch history | |
Status | Active |
Launch sites | Vandenberg SFB, SLC-8 MARS, LP-0B PSCA, LP-1 CCSFS, SLC-46 |
Total launches | 7 |
Success(es) | 7 |
First flight | 22 April 2010 |
Last flight | 15 July 2020 |
First stage – SR-118 | |
Powered by | 1 Solid |
Maximum thrust | 2,224 kilonewtons (500,000 lbf)[2] |
Specific impulse | 229 s (2.25 km/s) (sea level)[3] |
Burn time | 56.6 seconds |
Propellant | HTPB |
Second stage – SR-119 | |
Powered by | 1 Solid |
Maximum thrust | 1,223 kilonewtons (275,000 lbf)[2] |
Specific impulse | 308 s (3.02 km/s)[3] |
Burn time | 61 seconds |
Propellant | HTPB |
Third stage – SR-120 | |
Powered by | 1 Solid |
Maximum thrust | 289 kilonewtons (65,000 lbf)[2] |
Specific impulse | 300 s (2.9 km/s)[3] |
Burn time | 72 seconds |
Propellant | NEPE |
Fourth stage (Minotaur IV) – Orion 38 | |
Powered by | 1 Solid |
Maximum thrust | 32.2 kilonewtons (7,200 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 288 s (2.82 km/s) |
Burn time | 67.7 seconds |
Propellant | HTPB |
Fourth stage (Minotaur IV+) – Star 48BV | |
Powered by | 1 Solid |
Maximum thrust | 68.6 kilonewtons (15,400 lbf) (average) |
Specific impulse | 288 s (2.82 km/s) |
Burn time | 84.1 seconds |
Propellant | HTPB |
Minotaur IV, also known as Peacekeeper SLV and OSP-2 PK is an active expendable launch system derived from the LGM-118 Peacekeeper ICBM. It is operated by Northrop Grumman Space Systems, and made its maiden flight on 22 April 2010, carrying the HTV-2a Hypersonic Test Vehicle.[4][5][6] The first orbital launch occurred on 26 September 2010 with the SBSS satellite for the United States Air Force.
The Minotaur IV vehicle consists of four stages and is capable of placing 1,591 kilograms (3,508 lb) of payload into a low Earth orbit (LEO).[2][7] It uses the first three stages of the Peacekeeper missile, combined with a new upper stage. On the baseline version, the fourth stage is an Orion 38. However a higher performance variant, designated Minotaur IV+, uses a Star 48BV instead. A three-stage configuration (no Orion 38), designated the Minotaur IV Lite, is available for suborbital trajectories. The Minotaur IV has also been flown with multiple upper stages. A five-stage derivative, the Minotaur V, made its maiden flight on 7 September 2013.
Minotaur IV launches are conducted from SLC-8 at Vandenberg Space Force Base, LP-0B at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, SLC-46 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station and Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska Pad 1 of the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska (PSCA).
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