Orbital Minotaur I - Manual (Page 14)

Minotaur I User’s Guide Section 1.0 – Introduction
1. INTRODUCTION
This User’s Guide is intended to familiarize payload
mission planners with the capabilities of the Orbital
Suborbital Program 3 (OSP-3) Minotaur I Space Launch
Vehicle (SLV) launch service. This document provides an
overview of the Minotaur I system design and a
description of the services provided to our customers.
Minotaur I offers a variety of enhanced options to allow for
maximum flexibility in satisfying the objectives of single or
multiple payloads.
The user’s handbook is not intended as a design
document but rather it is to be used to select a launch
vehicle that meets the requirements of the payload. This
document describes typical environments seen on
previous missions. Each spacecraft is unique and will
require detailed analysis early in the program.
The primary mission of Minotaur I is to provide low cost,
high reliability launch services to government-sponsored
payloads. Minotaur I accomplishes this by using flight
proven components with significant flight heritage. The
philosophy of placing mission success as the highest
priority is reflected in the success and accuracy of all
Minotaur missions to date.
The Minotaur I launch vehicle system is composed of a
flight vehicle and ground support equipment. Each
element of the Minotaur I system has been developed to
simplify the mission design and payload integration
process and to provide safe, reliable space launch
services. This User’s Guide describes the basic elements
of the Minotaur I system as well as optional services that
are available. In addition, this document provides general
vehicle performance, defines payload accommodations
and environments, and outlines the Minotaur I mission
integration process.
The Minotaur I system can operate from a wide range of
launch facilities and geographic locations. The system is
compatible with, and will typically operate from,
commercial spaceport facilities and existing U.S.
Government ranges at Vandenberg Air Force Base
(VAFB), Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS),
Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), and Kodiak Launch
Complex (KLC). This User’s Guide describes Minotaur I-
unique integration and test approaches (including the
typical operational timeline for payload integration with the
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