Minotaur V

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
Minotaur V
The first Minotaur V at MARS before the launch of LADEE.
FunctionExpendable launch system
ManufacturerNorthrop Grumman (Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems)
Country of originUnited States
Size
Height24.56 m[1]
Diameter2.34 m[1]
Mass89,373 kg[1]
StagesFive
Capacity
Payload to
TLI
Mass342 kg
Associated rockets
Family
Solid

Minotaur V is an American

Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer spacecraft for NASA.[2]
While Minotaur V is still likely active and available to fly, no further flights are scheduled as of April 2024.

Design

Minotaur V is a five-stage vehicle and is designed to place up to 630 kilograms (1,390 lb) of payload into a

The Star-37FMV upper stage is heavier, reducing payload capacity, but is more maneuverable.

Launch pads

Kodiak Launch Complex are all capable of accommodating Minotaur V. As of 2024, the vehicle has only launched from MARS.[4]

Launch history

The only Minotaur V occurred on 7 September 2013 at 03:27 UTC from Launch Pad 0B at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport in Virginia. The payload for the maiden flight was the LADEE lunar exoatmosphere science spacecraft.[5] While now separated from the LADEE spacecraft, both the fourth and fifth stages of the Minotaur V reached orbit, and are now derelict satellites in Earth orbit.[6]

Flight number Date (UTC) Launch site Payload Orbit Outcome
1 September 7, 2013
03:27
MARS LP-0B LADEE
LTO
Success

References

  1. ^ a b c "Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) Launch" (PDF). NASA. Retrieved 8 September 2013.
  2. ^ "Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE) Mission website". NASA. Archived from the original on 2010-03-29.
  3. ^ a b "Fact Sheet" (PDF). Minotaur V. Orbital Sciences Corporation. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-03-11. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  4. ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Minotaur-3/-4/-5 (OSP-2 Peacekeeper SLV)". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 22 January 2013.
  5. ^ Stephen Clark (7 September 2013). "Moon mission hits snag after flawless late-night launch". Spaceflight Now. Retrieved 7 September 2013.
  6. ^ Graham, William (6 September 2013). "Orbital's Minotaur V launches LADEE mission to the Moon".
    NASAspaceflight.com
    . Retrieved 8 September 2013.