Author Topic: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011  (Read 38267 times)

Offline jacqmans

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #80 on: 09/27/2011 09:12 pm »
ORBITAL SUCCESSFULLY LAUNCHES MINOTAUR IV ROCKET FOR U.S. AIR FORCE
CARRYING TACSAT-4 SATELLITE

-- Successful Flight of Minotaur IV Extends Perfect Launch Record of
Minotaur Family to 23 Missions --

(Dulles, VA 27 September 2011) – Orbital Sciences Corporation (NYSE: ORB),
one of the world’s leading space technology companies, announced today that
its Minotaur IV space launch vehicle was successfully launched for the U.S.
Air Force, placing the U.S. Navy’s Tactical Satellite-4 (TacSat-4) into a
precise orbit of the Earth. The Operationally Responsive Space (ORS) Office
is the launch sponsor of the TacSat-4 program, which is demonstrating the
use of standard interfaces to shorten development timelines and delivering
tactical capabilities to the foot soldier.

The mission originated from the Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska on
September 27, 2011.  The rocket’s first stage ignited at 11:49 a.m. (EDT),
beginning its flight into low-Earth orbit. Approximately 28 minutes later,
the Minotaur IV deployed the TacSat-4 satellite into its targeted highly
elliptical orbit of approximately 7,415 miles (11,865 kilometers) by 115
miles (185 kilometers) above the Earth’s surface.  The TacSat-4 launch was
the fifth Minotaur IV flight and the 23rd overall mission for the Minotaur
product line over the last 11 years, all of which have been successful.

“The successful Minotaur IV flight continues our well-established record of
mission success for the Minotaur rocket family.  Orbital is proud to
support the U.S. Air Force with the newest member of the Minotaur launch
vehicle family for the operationally responsive TacSat program,” said Mr.
Ron Grabe, Orbital’s Executive Vice President and General Manager of its
Launch Systems Group. “With a perfect track record of 23 successful
launches over the last 11 years, the Minotaur family has proven to be a
valuable asset for the Department of Defense to meet its space launch
needs.”

The Minotaur family of launch vehicles is based on government-furnished
Peacekeeper and Minuteman rocket motors that Orbital has upgraded and
integrated with modern avionics and other subsystems to produce a
cost-effective launcher based on flight-proven hardware.  The Minotaur
product line utilizes standardized avionics and subsystems, mature
processes and experienced personnel to make them reliable and cost
effective.  Minotaur rockets are capable of launching from all major U.S.
spaceports, including launch sites in Alaska, California, Florida and
Virginia.

About Minotaur IV

The Minotaur IV is a four-stage space launch vehicle that uses
flight-proven propulsion, avionics and other subsystems.  It leverages the
experience of the Air Force’s Peacekeeper ICBM program, along with the
extensive flight heritage of Orbital’s Minotaur I, Pegasus® and Taurus®
space launch vehicles to produce a highly reliable launcher for U.S.
government space programs.

The space launch configuration of Minotaur IV is made up of three
decommissioned Peacekeeper solid fuel rocket motors that Orbital has
upgraded and integrated with modern avionics and other subsystems, combined
with a commercially-supplied solid-fuel upper stage. For the TacSat-4
mission, Orbital flew an enhanced performance configuration of the Minotaur
IV which utilizes a STAR 48 solid fuel motor with thrust vector control as
the fourth stage, replacing the Orion 38 motor that had flown on the
previous two Minotaur IV space launches.   Minotaur IV is capable of
launching payloads up to 4,000 lbs. (or 1,800 kg.) to low-Earth orbit.

About Orbital

Orbital develops and manufactures small- and medium-class rockets and space
systems for commercial, military and civil government customers.  The
company’s primary products are satellites and launch vehicles, including
low-Earth orbit, geosynchronous-Earth orbit and planetary exploration
spacecraft for communications, remote sensing, scientific and defense
missions; human-rated space systems for Earth-orbit, lunar and other
missions; ground- and air-launched rockets that deliver satellites into
orbit; and missile defense systems that are used as interceptor and target
vehicles.  Orbital also provides satellite subsystems and space-related
technical services to U.S. Government agencies and laboratories.  More
information about Orbital can be found at http://www.orbital.com.

Jacques :-)

Offline jcm

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #81 on: 09/28/2011 02:49 am »
Congrats to Orbital!
Does anyone have a weight estimate for the fourth stage? We know the Star 48V motor is 4772 lb loaded 305 lb burnout in its nominal config (per the 2008 ATK catalog) but the Stage 4 also has the Minotaur GCA (Guidance Control Assembly).
I am guessing the empty stage 4 is in the 1000-2000 lb range. (we like to know these things for space debris calculations...)
-----------------------------

Jonathan McDowell
http://planet4589.org

Offline Ronsmytheiii

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #82 on: 09/28/2011 02:52 am »
by the way, what is the difference between the SR-118 and the Castor-120 stages?  according to wikipedia, the later is a derivative of the former however I dont trust it as a source.....

Good to see the Shuttle/Delta II legacy living on through the switch to STAR 48
« Last Edit: 09/28/2011 02:53 am by Ronsmytheiii »

Offline edkyle99

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #83 on: 09/28/2011 03:16 am »
by the way, what is the difference between the SR-118 and the Castor-120 stages?  according to wikipedia, the later is a derivative of the former however I dont trust it as a source.....

Good to see the Shuttle/Delta II legacy living on through the switch to STAR 48

Castor 120 data is available on page 20 of the ATK product catalog.  http://www.atk.com/capabilities_space/documents/atk_catalog_may_2008.pdf
It says that "CASTOR 120 was designed, using proven technology, to meet the need for a medium-sized, reliable, solid rocket booster".  As I recall, that meant a less aggressive thrust profile (Minotaur 4 SR-118 first stage burned for 56.6 seconds while Castor 120 has a listed 79.5 second burn time, etc.).
http://www.orbital.com/NewsInfo/Publications/Minotaur_IV_Guide.pdf

 - Ed Kyle
« Last Edit: 09/28/2011 03:16 am by edkyle99 »

Offline Lewis007

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #84 on: 09/28/2011 07:55 am »
SFN has posted some videos of the launch

http://www.spaceflightnow.com/minotaur/tacsat4/video.html

Offline just-nick

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #85 on: 11/15/2011 05:31 pm »
This is sort of off topic...but how does Minotaur IV handle roll control during the 1st three stages?

--N

Offline Tcommon

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #86 on: 11/15/2011 09:26 pm »
This is sort of off topic...but how does Minotaur IV handle roll control during the 1st three stages?

"cold-gas attitude control system resident in the avionics section providing roll control."

Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #87 on: 11/15/2011 10:41 pm »
This is sort of off topic...but how does Minotaur IV handle roll control during the 1st three stages?

"cold-gas attitude control system resident in the avionics section providing roll control."

That is only for the 4th stage

Offline Tcommon

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #88 on: 11/15/2011 11:43 pm »
This is sort of off topic...but how does Minotaur IV handle roll control during the 1st three stages?

"cold-gas attitude control system resident in the avionics section providing roll control."

That is only for the 4th stage

Yah, I was wondering about that. I thought the peacekeeper had a hypergolic roll control unit that was adapted to the ares1. Didn't see anything about it in the link though.

Offline Jim

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #89 on: 11/16/2011 01:22 am »

Yah, I was wondering about that. I thought the peacekeeper had a hypergolic roll control unit that was adapted to the ares1. Didn't see anything about it in the link though.

That system doesn't fly on Minotaur.

Offline Tcommon

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #90 on: 11/16/2011 03:06 pm »
That system doesn't fly on Minotaur.

so what does it use?

Offline just-nick

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #91 on: 11/16/2011 04:24 pm »
That system doesn't fly on Minotaur.

so what does it use?
Antonioe, where are you when we need you?

--N

Offline antonioe

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #92 on: 11/21/2011 05:44 pm »
That system doesn't fly on Minotaur.

so what does it use?
Antonioe, where are you when we need you?

--N


Uh..?  What...? Oh, sorry, I was looking the other way...

Well, M IV stages 1 and 2 do not have roll control.  Stage 3 and 4 use the cold gas system.
ARS LONGA, VITA BREVIS...

Online ugordan

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #93 on: 11/21/2011 05:51 pm »
Well, M IV stages 1 and 2 do not have roll control.

That means the vehicle can/will enter a random (slow) roll during the burn?

Offline kevin-rf

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #94 on: 11/21/2011 08:31 pm »
Better grab some Dramamine.
If you're happy and you know it,
It's your med's!

Offline just-nick

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Re: LIVE: Minotaur IV Tacsat-4, September 27 2011
« Reply #95 on: 11/21/2011 11:14 pm »
Better grab some Dramamine.
Indeed!

What kind of roll rate could the vehicle see during stage 1/2 flight? It is a symmetrical tube, after all, but what sort of asymmetric burning and/or rate coupling could get involved?

  --N

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