First stage has been stacked on the launch mount at site 576E. This is the first use of this bare bones site in quite a few years.
Our #MinotaurC upper stack w/ @PlanetLabs spacecraft is prepped for transport to the pad for a 2:37 p.m. launch Oct. 31 from VAFB
OrbitalATK's commercial #MinotaurC rocket is stacked on the pad, ready to launch @planetlabs spacecraft on Oct. 31 from VAFB @30thSpaceWing
[2] Brings up the obvious question, what does the "C" stand for? Why isn't there a "Minotaur-B", or a "Minotaur-A"?
As near as I can tell, this is the one and only Minotaur-C launch on the books[1][2]. Has anyone run across differing information? - Ed Kyle
Quote from: edkyle99 on 10/26/2017 09:16 pmAs near as I can tell, this is the one and only Minotaur-C launch on the books[1][2]. Has anyone run across differing information? - Ed Kyle If Minotaur-C was still called "Taurus", then technically, this would be the tenth flight of this rocket.
Right. What I'm asking is if it might be the last. - Ed Kyle
The fog rolls in at VAFB as the team finishes preps on the #MinotaurC launching Oct. 31 at 2:37 pm PDT @planetlabs @30thSpaceWing @FAA news
Quote from: edkyle99 on 10/27/2017 01:40 pmRight. What I'm asking is if it might be the last. - Ed KyleI'm not sure if it's the last one ever.There's a possibility that some future payload contracts could be manifested for Minotaur-C.
Quote from: ZachS09 on 10/27/2017 02:14 pmQuote from: edkyle99 on 10/27/2017 01:40 pmRight. What I'm asking is if it might be the last. - Ed KyleI'm not sure if it's the last one ever.There's a possibility that some future payload contracts could be manifested for Minotaur-C.Surely that depends if NG decides to stay in the launcher business.
Abstract: On-Orbit commissioning of High Performance Green Propulsion (HPGP) in the SkySat constellationIn late 2012 Skybox Imaging selected HPGP technology for implementation of their second generation (propulsive) SkySat small Earth observation satellite platform. During 2013 ECAPS worked to design a complete, compact and 'modular' HPGP propulsion system; the first (protoflight) version of which was delivered in 2014. A total quantity of nineteen SkySat HPGP propulsion systems have been ordered thus far, and 'assembly line' manufacturing is ongoing at ECAPS - with multiple deliveris accomplished in 2015 & 2016, and continuing into 2017.The first five SkySat satellites with HPGP propulsion systems were launched during 2016 and an additional six SkySat satellites with HPGP systems are scheduled for launch in 2017 from Vandenberg AFB on Orbital ATK's Minotaur-C. SkySat-3 was launched in June 2016 from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre on Antrix's PSLV and SkySat-4 through SkySat-7 were launched in September 2016 from the Guiana Space Centre on Arianespace's Vega. Each satellites' HPGP system has been successfully commissioned and is now being operated in-orbit.This paper will begin by providing a brief introduction of HPGP technology; with a more in-depth description of the SkySat HPGP propulsion system design. A summary of the PSLV and Vega launch campaign fueling operations will also be provided, followed by the process and results of the post-launch propulsion system commissioning activities, and a performance overview of nominal on-orbit maneuvers executed to-date.Finally, a short update will be provided regarding the continued progress and improvement of HPGP technology, including maturation of the 5N & 22N HPGP thrusters to TRL-6 and the development of a new lower-cost 'next generation' 1N HPGP thruster.
It's a beautiful night at the pad as our #MinotaurC rocket stands ready for its Halloween launch at 2:37 pm PDT @planetlabs @30thSpaceWing
Quote from: ZachS09 on 10/27/2017 12:42 pmQuote from: edkyle99 on 10/26/2017 09:16 pmAs near as I can tell, this is the one and only Minotaur-C launch on the books[1][2]. Has anyone run across differing information? - Ed Kyle If Minotaur-C was still called "Taurus", then technically, this would be the tenth flight of this rocket.As per Orbital ATK's Minotaur-C fact sheet, the official name of the vehicle being launched next week is 3210 Minotaur-C XL.OA seems a little conflicted about what to call Minotaur-C. The Minotaur webpage says "To date, our Minotaur rockets have completed 26 missions out of every major U.S. spaceport with 100% success," which conveniently excludes three Taurus failures.Meanwhile, the Minotaur-C fact sheet on that page says "All major Minotaur-C configurations (SSLV, Standard and XL) have launched," which counts Taurus as a Minotaur-C configuration, since all of those launches were Taurus launches.https://www.orbitalatk.com/flight-systems/space-launch-vehicles/minotaur/default.aspxhttps://www.orbitalatk.com/flight-systems/space-launch-vehicles/minotaur/docs/Minotaur-C_Factsheet.pdf