Minotaur V
The first Minotaur V at MARS before the launch of LADEE. | |
| Function | Expendable launch system |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Northrop Grumman |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Cost per launch | $46 million (2010) |
| 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 MTO | |
| Mass | 650 kg (1,430 lb) |
| 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 | 2,224 kN (500,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 229 s (2.25 km/s) |
| Burn time | 56.6 seconds |
| Propellant | HTPB |
| Second stage – SR-119 | |
| Maximum thrust | 1,223 kN (275,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 308 s (3.02 km/s) |
| Burn time | 61 seconds |
| Propellant | HTPB |
| Third stage – SR-120 | |
| Maximum thrust | 289 kN (65,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 300 s (2.9 km/s) |
| Burn time | 72 seconds |
| Propellant | NEPE |
| Fourth stage – Star 48BV | |
| Maximum thrust | 68.6 kN (15,400 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 288 s (2.82 km/s) |
| Burn time | 84.1 seconds |
| Propellant | HTPB |
| Fifth stage – Star 37FM / Star 37FMV | |
| Maximum thrust | FM: 54.8 kN (12,300 lbf) FMV: 55.6 kN (12,500 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | FM: 290 s (2.8 km/s) FMV: 294 s (2.88 km/s) |
| Burn time | 62.7 seconds |
| Propellant | HTPB |
Minotaur V is an American expendable launch system derived from the Minotaur IV, itself a derivative of the retired LGM-118 Peacekeeper ICBM. Minotaur V 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. Although Minotaur V is still offered for launch services, no further flights are scheduled as of 2025.