National Reconnaissance Office 12h ·To recap, our NROL-111 mission launched at 9:35 a.m. this morning on a Northrop Grumman Minotaur I rocket from MARS Pad 0B at NASA's Wallops Flight Facility. NROL-111 is our second launch in 2021, our 60th anniversary year. For six decades, NRO has been successfully innovating and meeting the needs of its U.S. intelligence, military, and federal civil partners and today remains the world’s leader in unique intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems.“NRO is the best in the world at delivering space-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance to more than half a million government users working together to keep America safe,” said NRO Director Dr. Christopher Scolese. “NROL-111 is the 16th payload we put on orbit in 18 months to advance our mission of providing critical information to every member of the Intelligence Community, two dozen domestic agencies, our nation’s military, lawmakers, and decision makers.”“NROL-111 continues NRO’s 60-year legacy of pushing the envelope of the possible through ingenuity and collaboration,” said NRO Principal Deputy Director Dr. Troy Meink. “Our legacy is carried on by the dedicated men and women of the NRO, and supported by our talented mission partners, who made today’s launch a success.” NROL-111 is NRO’s final scheduled launch for 2021. In 2022, NRO is scheduled to start the year with two launches from New Zealand in January and February, NROL-162 and NROL-199. Also in February, NROL-87 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Three additional NRO missions are planned for later in 2022.
This one seems to have been moved to 2022, as NRO announced, that NROL-111 was the last planned NRO launch for 2021.
NROL-111 is NRO’s final scheduled launch for 2021. In 2022, NRO is scheduled to start the year with two launches from New Zealand in January and February, NROL-162 and NROL-199. Also in February, NROL-87 is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base. Three additional NRO missions are planned for later in 2022.
Northrop Grumman has no more Pegasus launches in its backlog, but the Space Force and the NRO have purchased at least one more Minotaur flight to deliver another classified payload to orbit.That mission, known as NROL-174, will use a Minotaur 4 rocket, the larger Minotaur variant. It is scheduled for launch in 2023, Eberly said. A launch site for the NROL-174 mission has not been confirmed.Northrop Grumman’s next orbital launch is scheduled in August, when an Antares rocket will take off from Virginia with the next Cygnus cargo ship for the International Space Station.
https://spaceflightnow.com/2021/06/15/three-nro-satellites-launched-by-minotaur-rocket-with-surplus-missile-parts/Quote...[T]he Space Force and the NRO have purchased at least one more Minotaur flight to deliver another classified payload to orbit.That mission, known as NROL-174, will use a Minotaur 4 rocket, the larger Minotaur variant. It is scheduled for launch in 2023, Eberly said. A launch site for the NROL-174 mission has not been confirmed.
...[T]he Space Force and the NRO have purchased at least one more Minotaur flight to deliver another classified payload to orbit.That mission, known as NROL-174, will use a Minotaur 4 rocket, the larger Minotaur variant. It is scheduled for launch in 2023, Eberly said. A launch site for the NROL-174 mission has not been confirmed.
Quote from: maosmiraculous on 07/13/2021 05:58 pmhttps://spaceflightnow.com/2021/06/15/three-nro-satellites-launched-by-minotaur-rocket-with-surplus-missile-parts/Quote...[T]he Space Force and the NRO have purchased at least one more Minotaur flight to deliver another classified payload to orbit.That mission, known as NROL-174, will use a Minotaur 4 rocket, the larger Minotaur variant. It is scheduled for launch in 2023, Eberly said. A launch site for the NROL-174 mission has not been confirmed.Could it launch on Minotaur IV from any of the following?:MARS (Wallops) LA-0BSpaceflight Florida, Cape Canaveral, SLC-46Vandenberg SFB, SLC-8Kodiak, AK, LP-1Or does the fact that MARS was the original designated launch site preclude Vandenberg and Kodiak because, apparently, the payload is not going to a polar or retrograde orbit?
“We’re basically on contract for three Minotaur launches. One is a Minotaur IV, which looks like it’s going to be launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in 2023, and that’s for the Space Force,” said Eberly. In total, there will be one Minotaur launch in 2022 and two launches in 2023. All three of these missions will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and will be flown for the U.S. Space Force.
There’s also a mission assigned to a Minotaur 2 rocket — a suborbital Minotaur configuration — scheduled to fly from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in late 2021, according to the Space and Missile Systems Center.
The next three Minotaur launches, including this one, will be from Vandenberg.https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2021/09/ng-16-update/Quote“We’re basically on contract for three Minotaur launches. One is a Minotaur IV, which looks like it’s going to be launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in 2023, and that’s for the Space Force,” said Eberly. In total, there will be one Minotaur launch in 2022 and two launches in 2023. All three of these missions will launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and will be flown for the U.S. Space Force.The 2022 launch is probably the Minotaur II suborbital flight mentioned last year that was scheduled for later this year.https://spaceflightnow.com/2020/07/15/minotaur-rocket-successfully-deploys-four-nro-satellites-in-orbit/QuoteThere’s also a mission assigned to a Minotaur 2 rocket — a suborbital Minotaur configuration — scheduled to fly from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California in late 2021, according to the Space and Missile Systems Center.Not sure what the second 2023 launch is, but it's probably not another Minotaur IV given the phrasing in Eberly's statement.
https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/4736QuoteNROL-174Launch TimeNET December, 2023
NROL-174Launch TimeNET December, 2023
NextSpaceflight, updated February 13:QuoteNROL-174Launch TimeNET March 2024
NROL-174Launch TimeNET March 2024
Any new news?
NROL-174Launch TimeNET 2024
There was an industry day help for Lane 1 in August. It includes the NRO, SDA, and USSF planned contract awards & launches. https://sam.gov/opp/7111789df59149cd81596402c35e33d3/view
NROL-149 is the final NRO launch of 2024, so this launch is NET 2025:QuoteLAUNCH UPDATE: #NROL149 is scheduled to launch on a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base NET December 17. This mission is the sixth launch of NRO's proliferated architecture, eighth launch of 2024 and last launch of the year!https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1868287421432881211
LAUNCH UPDATE: #NROL149 is scheduled to launch on a @SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base NET December 17. This mission is the sixth launch of NRO's proliferated architecture, eighth launch of 2024 and last launch of the year!
Primary Launch Day 16 APR 1900Z-2126Z Backup Launch Day 17 APR 1900Z-2126Z
Yesterday, NRO Director Dr. Chris Scolese mentioned upcoming launches…bet you didn’t guess that meant 3 in 1 week!GO NROL-192, NROL-174, & NROL-145! Stay tuned for more updates. 🚀Watch Dr. Scolese's full remarks here: https://nro.gov/news-media-featured-stories/news-media-archive/News-Article/Article/4148782/nro-director-calls-for-leveraging-full-potential-of-cutting-edge-space-capabili/
NROL-174 is a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) mission consisting of multiple national security payloads designed, built, and operated by the NRO.
This launch has appeared on https://www.cadenaois.org/vpublic_anspdetail.jsp?view=15, scheduled for NET April 16th at 19:00 UTC:QuotePrimary Launch Day 16 APR 1900Z-2126Z Backup Launch Day 17 APR 1900Z-2126Z
NRO Press Kit: https://www.nro.gov/Portals/135/Documents/news/Press%20Kits/10417_Press%20Kit%20book_Launch_NROL-174_4.9.25.pdfMentions "multiple payloads":QuoteNROL-174 is a National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) mission consisting of multiple national security payloads designed, built, and operated by the NRO.
LAUNCH UPDATE: NRO & @USSF_SSC are scheduled to launch NROL-174 on a @northropgrumman Minotaur IV rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base NET 3:33 p.m. EDT April 16.This will be the first Minotaur IV to launch from Vandenberg since 2011!
https://twitter.com/NatReconOfc/status/1911932450315399222QuoteLAUNCH UPDATE: NRO & @USSF_SSC are scheduled to launch NROL-174 on a @northropgrumman Minotaur IV rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base NET 3:33 p.m. EDT April 16.This will be the first Minotaur IV to launch from Vandenberg since 2011!
8th Minotaur IV launch overall - first since 2020!
MINOTUAR 3,4,5,6 LAUNCH LOG ================================================================== Date Vehicle ID Payload Mass Site* Orbit kg Type**------------------------------------------------------------------04/22/10 Minotaur 4 Lite MT4-1 HTV 2a VA 8 SUB09/26/10 Minotaur 4 MT4-2 SBSS 1 1031 VA 8 SSO11/20/10 Minotaur 4 HAPS MT4-3 STP S26 590 KD 1 LEO08/11/11 Minotaur 4 Lite MT4-4 HTV 2b VA 8 SUB09/27/11 Minotaur 4+ MT4-5 TacSat 4 450 KD 1 EEO09/07/13 Minotaur 5 MT5-1 LADEE 380 WI 0B EEO08/26/17 Minotaur 4 MT4-6 ORS 5 140 CC 46 LEO07/15/20 Minotaur 4 MT4-7 NROL 129 WI 0B LEO------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote from: AmigaClone on 04/15/2025 08:43 am8th Minotaur IV launch overall - first since 2020!One of those was listed as a five-stage Minotaur 5 (basically a Minotaur 4 with a Star 37 fifth stage). It launched LADEE into a highly elliptical orbit for the Moon-bound spacecraft. Two others were three-stage "Minotaur 4 Lite" variants that flew suborbital missions. The four-stage Minotaur 4 version has reached orbit five times, one with a HAPS stage as an experimental payload. Minotaur 4/5 has flown from *four* different launch pads at *four* different launch centers!MINOTUAR 3,4,5,6 LAUNCH LOG ================================================================== Date Vehicle ID Payload Mass Site* Orbit kg Type**------------------------------------------------------------------04/22/10 Minotaur 4 Lite MT4-1 HTV 2a VA 8 SUB09/26/10 Minotaur 4 MT4-2 SBSS 1 1031 VA 8 SSO11/20/10 Minotaur 4 HAPS MT4-3 STP S26 590 KD 1 LEO08/11/11 Minotaur 4 Lite MT4-4 HTV 2b VA 8 SUB09/27/11 Minotaur 4+ MT4-5 TacSat 4 450 KD 1 EEO09/07/13 Minotaur 5 MT5-1 LADEE 380 WI 0B EEO08/26/17 Minotaur 4 MT4-6 ORS 5 140 CC 46 LEO07/15/20 Minotaur 4 MT4-7 NROL 129 WI 0B LEO------------------------------------------------------------------ - Ed Kyle
NRO and Space Force partner through the Rocket Systems Launch Program to launch NROL-174April 16, 2025NROL-174 is NRO’s first Minotaur rocket launch from Vandenberg since 2011The National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), in partnership with U.S. Space Force Space Systems Command’s (SSC) Small Launch and Targets Division, Space Launch Delta 30, and Northrop Grumman, successfully launched multiple national security payloads with the NROL-174 mission aboard a Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV rocket from Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8) at Vandenberg Space Force Base (VSFB) April 16, 2025, at 3:33 p.m. EDT. NROL-174 marks another successful mission in a long-standing partnership with SSC through the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP). RSLP, the small launch counterpart to the National Security Space Launch program, focuses on the small launch market and primarily launches more risk-tolerant experimental, research and development, responsive space, and operational missions. “This launch is a testament to what the national security launch enterprise is able to achieve," said Laura Robinson, Deputy Director, NRO Office of Space Launch, and NROL-174 Mission Director. “The NROL-174 Minotaur IV rocket was once a Peacekeeper ICBM that sat watch 24/7 in support of our nation’s nuclear deterrent. Now modified for space launch, it completed its final mission of placing a national security payload on orbit, a credit to the decades-long dedication of those who were part of the missile’s early development, maintenance and operations, and innovative conversion into the Minotaur IV rocket. It was truly a team effort.”NROL-174 is the third NRO mission launched from SSC RSLP’s Orbital/Suborbital Program-3 contract. Today’s Minotaur IV rocket launch follows previous Minotaur family of rocket launches with NROL-129 in July 2020 and NROL-111 in June 2021, both from Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. NRO last launched a Minotaur rocket from VSFB with NROL-66 in 2011."Superb launch. This was our third Minotaur launch for the NRO since July 2020 and just like then, this mission was textbook…truly outstanding," said Lt. Col. Steve Hendershot, SSC’s Materiel Leader for RSLP. "We have a great relationship with our partners at the NRO, and watching today's launch you saw our teamwork, discipline, and trust pay off strong."Over the past two years, NRO has launched more than 150 satellites, creating the largest and most capable government constellation on orbit in our nation’s history. Continuing with this momentum, 2025 is set to be another dynamic year, with approximately a dozen NRO launches scheduled.[...]
Here is a consolidated post of available video links for this launch:NONE
Small video snippet here: https://www.facebook.com/SLD30
Team V Guardians and Airmen in partnership with NRO & Northrop Grumman accomplished today’s launch of the NROL-174 mission from Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8), at 12:33 p.m. PT on April 16th.This marks the 17th space launch and missile test from the United States Space Force’s West Coast Spaceport and Test Range at Vandenberg Space Force Base in 2025!United States Space Force | Space Systems Command - SSC#welcometospacecountry #gatewaytothefuture
From the third map, addressing the second stage de-orbit, the orbital inclination appears to be circa 63 degrees, by visual inspection.
Launch story. Says this was first launch from SLC 8 since 2011, but I believe that a suborbital Minotaur 1 may have launched from there on a suborbital flight last year, on June 18, 2024, with a Mk 21A RV test vehicle. https://www.noozhawk.com/minotaur-iv-rocket-blasts-off-from-vandenberg-sfb/ - Ed Kyle
#NROL-174 screams aloft from SLC-8 at Vandenberg AFB seen from Jalama Beach California. This was the first Minotaur IV launch from this pad in 14 years. @NASASpaceflight
Quote from: edkyle99 on 04/17/2025 02:17 amLaunch story. Says this was first launch from SLC 8 since 2011, but I believe that a suborbital Minotaur 1 may have launched from there on a suborbital flight last year, on June 18, 2024, with a Mk 21A RV test vehicle. https://www.noozhawk.com/minotaur-iv-rocket-blasts-off-from-vandenberg-sfb/ - Ed KyleHmm. I had a source suggest to me that that one was from TP-01
Quote from: jcm on 04/17/2025 02:30 amHmm. I had a source suggest to me that that one was from TP-01The source is correct. This test went from TP-01.
Hmm. I had a source suggest to me that that one was from TP-01
Why don't the Peacekeeper-derived Minotaurs require the "banana peel" silo-replicators that Minotaur I requires?
Quote from: jcm on 04/17/2025 02:30 amQuote from: edkyle99 on 04/17/2025 02:17 amLaunch story. Says this was first launch from SLC 8 since 2011, but I believe that a suborbital Minotaur 1 may have launched from there on a suborbital flight last year, on June 18, 2024, with a Mk 21A RV test vehicle. https://www.noozhawk.com/minotaur-iv-rocket-blasts-off-from-vandenberg-sfb/ - Ed KyleHmm. I had a source suggest to me that that one was from TP-01Hm, the last Minotaur-1 (the suborbital flight) also launched from TP-01. Is there an issue with SLC-8?
Quote from: Skyrocket on 04/17/2025 02:37 pmQuote from: jcm on 04/17/2025 02:30 amQuote from: edkyle99 on 04/17/2025 02:17 amLaunch story. Says this was first launch from SLC 8 since 2011, but I believe that a suborbital Minotaur 1 may have launched from there on a suborbital flight last year, on June 18, 2024, with a Mk 21A RV test vehicle. https://www.noozhawk.com/minotaur-iv-rocket-blasts-off-from-vandenberg-sfb/ - Ed KyleHmm. I had a source suggest to me that that one was from TP-01Hm, the last Minotaur-1 (the suborbital flight) also launched from TP-01. Is there an issue with SLC-8?Different first stage diameters.
That video is now on YouTube.
I believe the smoke is the roll control motor which is also solid. Since peacekeeper was cold launched it fired before the first stage plus I’d assume they’d want to make sure that’s running before firing the first stage.
