Minotaur i launch vehicle, Lower stack assembly – Orbital Minotaur I User Manual
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Minotaur I User’s Guide
Section 2.0 – Minotaur I Configurations
Division (SDL). Orbital is the launch vehicle
provider. This integrated team will be referred to
collectively as “OSP” throughout the User’s Guide.
Where necessary, interfaces that are associated
with a particular member of the team will be
referred to directly (i.e., Orbital or SDL).
OSP provides all of the necessary hardware,
software and services to integrate, test and launch
a payload into its prescribed orbit. In addition,
OSP will complete all the required agreements,
licenses and documentation to successfully
conduct Minotaur I operations. The Minotaur I
mission integration process completely identifies,
documents, and verifies all spacecraft and
mission requirements.
2.3. Minotaur I Launch Vehicle
The Minotaur I vehicle, shown in expanded view
in Figure 2.3-1, is a four stage, inertially guided,
all solid propellant ground launched vehicle.
Conservative design margins, state-of-the-art
structural systems, a modular avionics
architecture, and simplified integration and test
capability, yield a robust, highly reliable launch
vehicle design. In addition, Minotaur I payload
accommodations and interfaces have been
designed to satisfy a wide range of potential
payload requirements.
2.3.1. Lower Stack Assembly
The Lower Stack Assembly (LSA), shown in
Figure 2.3.1-1, consists of the refurbished
Government Furnished Equipment (GFE)
Minuteman Stages 1 and 2. Only minor
modifications are made to the boosters, including
harness interface changes and conversion from
All-Ordnance Destruct System (AODS) to Modular
Mechanical Ordnance Destruct System (MMODS)
Flight Termination System (FTS).
The first stage consists of the Minuteman II
M55A1 solid propellant motor, Nozzle Control
Units (NCU), Stage 1 Ignition Safe/Arm, S1/S2
Interstage and Stage 1 MMODS FTS. Four
gimbaled nozzles provide three axis control during
first stage burn. The second stage consists of a refurbished Minuteman II SR19 motor, Liquid Injection
Figure 2.3-1. OSP Minotaur I Launch Vehicle
Configuration
Release 3.0
March 2014
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