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Minotaur V

The first Minotaur V at MARS before the launch of LADEE.
Function	Expendable launch system
Manufacturer	Northrop Grumman (Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems)
Country of origin	United States
Size
Height	24.56 m (80.6 ft)
Diameter	2.34 m (7 ft 8 in)
Mass	89,373 kg (197,034 lb)
Stages	5
Capacity
Payload to GTO
Mass	532 kg (1,173 lb)
Payload to TLI
Mass	342 kg (754 lb)
Associated rockets
Family	Minotaur
Launch history
Status	Active, no planned launches
Launch sites	Wallops Island, LP-0B
Total launches	1
Success(es)	1
First flight	7 September 2013
First stage – SR-118
Maximum thrust	2,200 kN (490,000 lbf)
Burn time	83 seconds
Propellant	HTPB
Second stage – SR-119
Maximum thrust	1,365 kN (307,000 lbf)
Burn time	54 seconds
Propellant	HTPB
Third stage – SR-120
Maximum thrust	329 kN (74,000 lbf)
Burn time	62 seconds
Propellant	NEPE
Fourth stage – Star-48BV
Maximum thrust	64 kN (14,000 lbf)
Burn time	84 seconds
Propellant	HTPB
Fifth stage – Star-37FM
Maximum thrust	47.26 kN (10,620 lbf)
Burn time	63 seconds
[edit on Wikidata]

Minotaur V is an American expendable launch system derived from the Minotaur IV, itself a derivative of the LGM-118 Peacekeeper, an intercontinental ballistic missile. It was developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation, (now absorbed into Northrop Grumman) and made its maiden, and to date, only flight on 7 September 2013 carrying the LADEE (Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer) spacecraft for NASA. While Minotaur V is still likely active and available to fly, no further flights are scheduled as of May 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 geosynchronous transfer orbit, or 342 kilograms (754 lb) on a trans-lunar trajectory. It consists of a Minotaur IV+, with a Star-37 as a fifth stage. Two variants are available, one with a spin-stabilized Star-37FM upper stage, and the other with a Star-37FMV capable of three-axis stabilization. The Star-37FMV upper stage is heavier, reducing payload capacity, but is more maneuverable.

Launch pads

Space Launch Complex 8 at the Vandenberg Space Force Base, Pad 0B at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS), and Pad 1 of the Kodiak Launch Complex are all capable of accommodating Minotaur V. As of 2024, the vehicle has only launched from MARS.

Launch history

The only Minotaur V launch 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 (SATCAT: 39246, decay date: 18 April 2014). While now separated from the LADEE spacecraft, both the fourth and fifth stages of the Minotaur V reached orbit, and became derelict satellites in Earth orbit (SATCAT: 39248, decay date: 27 November 2013).

References

1. ^ "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. ^ "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.

• Minotaur (rocket family)