Minotaur IV Rocket Successfully Launches NROL-174 Satellite for U.S. National Security

In a major success for U.S. space-based defense efforts, Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur IV rocket has successfully launched the NROL-174 payload into orbit on behalf of the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO). The launch took place from Space Launch Complex 8 at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, reinforcing the vital role of the Minotaur rocket family in national security missions.

The NROL-174 payload is part of the United States’ top-secret space intelligence operations, which help monitor global activities and ensure national safety. While specific details about the satellite’s purpose remain classified, its successful deployment adds another crucial asset to the U.S. defense and surveillance network in space.

The Minotaur IV rocket is a powerful launch vehicle developed by Northrop Grumman, designed to provide reliable and cost-effective access to space. It’s part of the broader Minotaur family, which combines decommissioned missile stages from U.S. government stockpiles with advanced commercial spaceflight technologies. This unique blend allows the Minotaur series to deliver rapid, precise, and secure satellite launches for a wide range of missions.

Minotaur IV Specifications:

• Height: Approximately 23.9 meters (78.5 feet)

• Diameter: 2.34 meters (7.7 feet)

• Liftoff Weight: Around 86,300 kg (190,200 pounds)

• Stages: 4 solid rocket stages

• Payload Capacity to Low Earth Orbit (LEO): Up to 1,735 kg (3,825 pounds)

• Propulsion:

  • Stage 1: M55A1 solid rocket motor

  • Stage 2: SR19 solid rocket motor

  • Stage 3: Orion 50XL solid motor

  • Stage 4: Orion 38 solid motor

• Launch Sites: Vandenberg SFB (California), Wallops Flight Facility (Virginia), Cape Canaveral SFS (Florida)

Mike Pinkston, vice president of launch vehicles at Northrop Grumman, expressed pride in the continued success of the Minotaur program. “Since the first launch in January 2000, our Minotaur rockets have continued to provide unique and reliable space launch solutions to support national security missions for the U.S. government,” he said. “Our ability to deliver several Minotaur configurations for a wide range of missions is a proven area of technology expertise, which we’ll continue to build on to expand access to space.”

The Minotaur IV’s flexibility makes it suitable for launching various types of payloads, from communication and reconnaissance satellites to scientific instruments and experimental technologies. With its latest success, the Minotaur IV once again proves its value as a dependable tool for safeguarding the nation from above.