Minotaur I
The Minotaur I, or just Minotaur is an American expendable launch system derived from the Minuteman II missile. It is used to launch small satellites for the US Government, and is a member of the Minotaur family of rockets produced by Orbital Sciences Corporation (now Northrop Grumman).
Minotaur I with NFIRE at MARS | |
| Function | Small expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 19.21 metres (63.0 ft) |
| Diameter | 1.67 metres (5 ft 6 in) |
| Mass | 36,200 kilograms (79,800 lb) |
| Stages | 4 or 5 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | |
| Mass | 580 kilograms (1,280 lb) |
| Payload to SSO | |
| Mass | 331 kilograms (730 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Active |
| Launch sites | Vandenberg SLC-8 MARS LP-0B |
| Total launches | 12 |
| Success(es) | 12 |
| First flight | 27 January 2000 |
| Last flight | 15 June 2021 |
| First stage – M55A1 | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 935 kilonewtons (210,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Second stage – SR19 | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 268 kilonewtons (60,000 lbf) |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Third stage – Orion 50XL | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 118.2 kilonewtons (26,600 lbf) |
| Burn time | 74 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
| Fourth stage – Orion 38 | |
| Powered by | 1 Solid |
| Maximum thrust | 34.8 kilonewtons (7,800 lbf) |
| Burn time | 68 seconds |
| Propellant | Solid |
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