Orbital Minotaur I - Manual (Page 84)

Minotaur I User’s Guide Section 8.0 – Optional Enhanced Capabilities
8.17. Poly-Pico Orbital Deployer (P-POD)
When there is excess performance available on a Minotaur mission, there is an opportunity to fly one or
more P-PODS. Small CubeSats deployed from customer provided P-PODs were successfully flown on
multiple Minotaur missions. A single P-POD can deploy up to 3 CubeSats.
The P-PODs are mounted on shock isolated plates located on the Orion 38 motor case (Figure 8.17-1)
and are deployed in the aft direction following Stage 4 burnout. A standard pyro pulse from the launch
vehicle is used to deploy the P-PODs. The Minotaur I launch vehicle is capable of deploying up to two P-
PODs per mission, assuming the use of the Large Fairing (61”) Enhancement. Due to their mounting
location, P-PODs can be easily integrated to the launch vehicle on a fully non-interference basis from the
primary spacecraft, thus minimizing impacts to the primary mission spacecraft integration operations. This
enhancement assumes the P-PODs are added to the manifest early enough in the contract that extensive
rework is not required.
Figure 8.17-1. P-PODs Have Successfully Flown On Multiple Minotaur Missions
8.18. Suborbital Performance
The flight proven Minotaur I provides the basis
for an enhanced configuration, Minotaur I Lite,
to meet various suborbital mission demands.
Minotaur I Lite maintains the existing Minotaur I
vehicle systems and simply removes the 4th
stage to provide a reliable, proven, and robustly
performing suborbital vehicle (see Figure 8.18-1
for performance). In addition to providing
significant downrange performance, Orbital
draws from many existing, proven, successful
guidance schemes to meet the unique targeting
needs of the suborbital customer including the
highly accurate Pierce Point algorithm proven
on Minotaur II and Minotaur IV.
Under the Suborbital Performance Modification for Minotaur I, the Orion 38 4th stage solid rocket motor
and associated components are removed from the Minotaur I orbital configuration (Figure 8.18-2).
Figure 8.18-1. Minotaur I Lite Ballistic Performance
Release 3.0 March 2014 71