Orbital Minotaur VI - Manual (Page 34)

Minotaur IV • V • VI User’s Guide Section 3.0 – General Performance
3.2.1. Western Launch Sites
For missions requiring high inclination orbits (greater than 60°), launches can be conducted from facilities
at VAFB or Kodiak Island, AK, as shown in Figure 3.2-2. Inclinations below 72° from VAFB are possible,
but require an out-of-plane dogleg, thereby reducing payload capability. Minotaur IV is nominally
launched from the California Spaceport facility, Space Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8) operated by Spaceport
Systems International (SSI), on South VAFB. The launch facility at Kodiak Island, operated by the Alaska
Aerospace Development Corporation (AADC), can accommodate the larger Minotaur V and VI vehicles
and has been used for both orbital and suborbital launches including past launches of Minotaur IV.
3.2.2. Eastern Launch Sites
For easterly launch azimuths to achieve orbital inclinations between 28.5° and 55°, launches can be
conducted from facilities at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, FL (CCAFS) or Wallops Island, VA (WFF).
Launches from Florida will nominally use the Space Florida launch facilities at LC-46 on CCAFS which
can accommodate any of the Minotaur vehicle configurations. Typical inclinations are from 28.5° to 50°;
however, higher inclination trajectories may require northerly ascent trajectories. These would need to
consider the potential of European overflight and require range safety assessment. The Mid-Atlantic
Regional Spaceport (MARS) facilities at the WFF may be used for inclinations from 37.8° to 55°. Some
inclinations and/or altitudes may have reduced performance due to range safety considerations and will
need to be evaluated on a case-by-case mission-specific basis.
3.2.3. Alternate Launch Sites
Other launch facilities can be readily used given the flexibility designed into the Minotaur IV vehicle,
ground support equipment, and the various interfaces. Orbital has experience launching vehicles from a
variety of sites around the world. To meet the requirements of performing mission operations from
alternative, austere launch sites, Orbital can provide self contained, transportable shelters for launch
operations as an unpriced option. The mobile equivalent of the LCR is the Launch Support Van (LSV),
and the mobile LEV is the Launch Equipment Van.
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