The Orbital/Suborbital Program (OSP) "Minotaur" Space Launch Vehicle: Using Surplus ICBM Motors to Achieve Low Cost Space Lift for Small Satellites

The Orbital/Suborbital Program (OSP) "Minotaur" Space Launch Vehicle: Using Surplus ICBM Motors to Achieve Low Cost Space Lift for Small Satellites

The United States Air Force is developing a new family of launch vehicles using surplus Minuteman II rocket motors to support both orbital launches of small satellites and suborbital ICBM-trajectory missions. Under the OSP contract awarded to Orbital Sciences Corporation in September 1997, four different vehicle configurations are being developed: 1) single reentry vehicle ballistic launch, 2) multiple payload ballistic launch, 3) flight test capability for developmental upper stages, and 4) space lift capability for small U.S. Government satellites. The space launch vehicle or "Minotaur" is composed of an M-55 (Minuteman II Stage 1), SR-19 (Minuteman II Stage 2), Orion 50XL (Pegasus Stage 2), Orion 38 (Pegasus Stage 3), Pegasus avionics section, and Pegasus fairing. The initial launch of Minotaur will take place in September 1999 and will carry two military satellites: the FalconSat payload for the U.S. Air Force Academy and the JAWSAT payload for the Space Test Program.