Minotaur 4 launches technology demonstration satellites
Posted: Sat, Nov 20, 2010, 8:25 AM ET (1325 GMT)
A Minotaur 4 successfully placed a group of civil and military science and technology demonstration satellites into orbit Friday night. The Minotaur 4 lifted off from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska at 8:25 pm EST Friday (0125 GMT Saturday) and placed six spacecraft into orbit. The primary payload was the 180-kilogram STPSat-2, a 180-kilogram satellite from the Air Force's Space Test Program to test sensors and related technologies. The rocket also carries several NASA spacecraft, including the Organism/Organic Exposure to Orbital Stresses or O/OREOS science spacecraft and the Fast Affordable Science and Technology Satellite (FASTSAT) tech demo mission; that spacecraft will deploy another satellite, NanoSail-D2, designed to demonstrate solar sail concepts. The Minotaur 4 is a rocket that uses recycled Peacekeeper IBCM motors for its lower stages; this was the second orbital launch for the rocket. The launch was also the first orbital mission from Kodiak since 2001.
A Minotaur 4 successfully placed a group of civil and military science and technology demonstration satellites into orbit Friday night. The Minotaur 4 lifted off from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska at 8:25 pm EST Friday (0125 GMT Saturday) and placed six spacecraft into orbit. The primary payload was the 180-kilogram STPSat-2, a 180-kilogram satellite from the Air Force's Space Test Program to test sensors and related technologies. The rocket also carries several NASA spacecraft, including the Organism/Organic Exposure to Orbital Stresses or O/OREOS science spacecraft and the Fast Affordable Science and Technology Satellite (FASTSAT) tech demo mission; that spacecraft will deploy another satellite, NanoSail-D2, designed to demonstrate solar sail concepts. The Minotaur 4 is a rocket that uses recycled Peacekeeper IBCM motors for its lower stages; this was the second orbital launch for the rocket. The launch was also the first orbital mission from Kodiak since 2001.
Related Links:
| <<previous article | next article>> |
|
news in brief
|
|
Starship explodes during preparations for static-fire test
Posted: Sun, Jun 22 6:52 AM ET (1052 GMT) |
|
news links
|
|
Tuesday, July 8
ESA Names Five European Launcher Challenge Candidates
Aviation Week — 7:39 am ET (1139 GMT) Space Force awards Boeing $2.8B deal to deliver next-gen nuclear communication satellites
Defensescoop — 7:39 am ET (1139 GMT) US space industry gets special break through Trump spending plan
Financial Times — 7:36 am ET (1136 GMT) Globalstar Signs Launch Services Agreement with SpaceX
Business Wire — 7:35 am ET (1135 GMT) Air Force stops study of using a wildlife refuge for SpaceX tests
E&E News — 7:32 am ET (1132 GMT) |
