Orbital Minotaur I - Manual (Page 75)

Minotaur I User’s Guide Section 8.0 – Optional Enhanced Capabilities
8. OPTIONAL ENHANCED CAPABILITIES
The Minotaur launch service is structured to provide a baseline vehicle configuration which is then
augmented with optional enhancements to meet the unique needs of individual payloads. The baseline
vehicle capabilities are defined in the previous sections and the optional enhanced capabilities are
defined below. The enhanced options allow customization of launch support and accommodations to the
Minotaur I designs on an efficient, “as needed” basis.
8.1. Separation System
Several different types of optional separation systems and mechanical interfaces are available through
Orbital. Further details can be found in Sections 5.2.4 and 5.2.5.
8.2. Conditioned Air
Conditioned air is included in the baseline vehicle cost and was described previously in Section 4.6.1.
The Nitrogen Purge and Enhanced Contamination Control enhancements complement this capability as
described in the Sections 8.3 and 8.6. For Minotaur I, conditioned air is not provided during transport or
lifting operations.
8.3. Nitrogen Purge
Clean, dry gaseous nitrogen (GN
2
) purge meeting Grade B specifications as defined in MIL-P-27401C
can be provided to the payload in a Class 10,000 environment for continuous purge of the payload after
fairing encapsulation until final payload closeouts (non-fly away) or lift-off (flyaway configuration shown in
Figure 8.3-1). This enhancement uses a flow regulated nitrogen ground supply connected to the fairing.
The nitrogen flow control regulator ensures the purge is supplied at a minimum flow rate of 5 standard
cubic feet per minute with a capability of up to 8 standard cubic feet per minute. A manifold mounted to
the inside of the fairing wall feeds lines up the
fairing wall to purge points of interest on the
payload. Purge nozzles can be positioned on the
fairing wall and pointed at the payload instrument.
Alternatively, a fly away configuration can be used
where the purge line connects to a manifold on the
payload and is pulled free during fairing separation.
This continuous purge can be supplied from
payload encapsulation through launch, including
during transport to the pad, as demonstrated on
past Minotaur I missions.
8.4. Additional Access Panel
As already discussed in Section 5.1.3, additional
doors of the same size and configuration as the
standard single access door can be provided. The
location of the fairing access door is documented
within the mission-specific ICD. Figure 8.4-1 shows
multiple access panels used on the Minotaur I
ORS-1 mission as located on the optional Minotaur
61” fairing. Figures 5.1.3-1 and 5.1.3-2 define the
allowable access door envelopes. Typical missions
have included two access doors, at various
Figure 8.3-1. GN
2
Purge Interface To Minotaur
Fairing (Flyaway at Liftoff)
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