# Minotaur-C

> four stage, solid fuel launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q201032](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q201032)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaur-C)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/minotaur-c

## Summary
Minotaur-C is a four-stage, solid-fuel launch vehicle developed as part of the American Minotaur rocket family. Originally known as Taurus, it is designed for launching small to medium-sized satellites into orbit and is manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation and Northrop Grumman Space Systems.

## Key Facts
- **Type**: Four-stage, solid-fuel launch vehicle.
- **Manufacturer**: Orbital Sciences Corporation and Northrop Grumman Space Systems.
- **Country of Origin**: United States.
- **Diameter**: 2.35 meters.
- **Aliases**: Also known as Taurus or Minotaur Commercial.
- **Parent Class**: Part of the Minotaur family of rockets.
- **Notable Payloads**: Launched satellites including DARPASAT, TAOS, Multispectral Thermal Imager, KOMPSAT-1, GFO, STEX, ACRIMSAT, and FORMOSAT-2.
- **Website**: [Northrop Grumman Minotaur Rocket](https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/minotaur-rocket/).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Minotaur-C used for?
A: Minotaur-C is a launch vehicle designed to deploy small to medium-sized satellites into orbit, serving both commercial and military purposes.

### Q: Who manufactures Minotaur-C?
A: It is manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation and Northrop Grumman Space Systems.

### Q: What are some notable satellites launched by Minotaur-C?
A: Notable payloads include DARPASAT, TAOS, Multispectral Thermal Imager, KOMPSAT-1, and FORMOSAT-2.

### Q: What is the diameter of Minotaur-C?
A: The diameter of Minotaur-C is 2.35 meters.

### Q: Is Minotaur-C the same as Taurus?
A: Yes, Minotaur-C is also known as Taurus or Minotaur Commercial.

## Why It Matters
Minotaur-C plays a crucial role in the deployment of small to medium-sized satellites, supporting both commercial and military applications. Its solid-fuel design ensures reliability and cost-effectiveness, making it a valuable asset in the space launch industry. By enabling the launch of various satellites, Minotaur-C contributes to advancements in Earth observation, reconnaissance, and technological research. Its versatility and proven track record make it a significant player in the aerospace sector, facilitating missions that enhance national security, scientific discovery, and global communications.

## Notable For
- **Versatility**: Capable of launching a wide range of satellites for different purposes.
- **Reliability**: Solid-fuel design ensures consistent performance.
- **Military and Commercial Use**: Serves both military and commercial satellite launch needs.
- **Notable Payloads**: Successfully launched several high-profile satellites, including KOMPSAT-1 and FORMOSAT-2.
- **Manufacturing Expertise**: Produced by leading aerospace companies Orbital Sciences Corporation and Northrop Grumman Space Systems.

## Body
### Overview
Minotaur-C, also known as Taurus or Minotaur Commercial, is a four-stage, solid-fuel launch vehicle. It is part of the Minotaur family of rockets, which are known for their reliability and versatility in launching small to medium-sized satellites.

### Technical Specifications
- **Stages**: Four stages, all using solid fuel.
- **Diameter**: 2.35 meters.
- **Manufacturer**: Orbital Sciences Corporation and Northrop Grumman Space Systems.

### Notable Launches
Minotaur-C has been used to launch several notable satellites, including:
- **DARPASAT**: A satellite developed by DARPA.
- **TAOS**: Technology for Autonomous Operational Survivability satellite.
- **Multispectral Thermal Imager**: A former American quasi-military reconnaissance spacecraft.
- **KOMPSAT-1**: A South Korean multipurpose reconnaissance satellite.
- **GFO**: A decommissioned American military altimetry satellite.
- **STEX**: A former U.S. military satellite.
- **ACRIMSAT**: A former American Earth observation satellite.
- **FORMOSAT-2**: An Earth observation satellite.

### Manufacturing and Development
Minotaur-C is manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation and Northrop Grumman Space Systems. The rocket's design and development leverage the expertise of these leading aerospace companies, ensuring high performance and reliability.

### Applications
Minotaur-C is used for a variety of applications, including:
- **Military Satellites**: Launching satellites for national security and defense purposes.
- **Commercial Satellites**: Deploying satellites for commercial applications such as Earth observation and communications.
- **Scientific Research**: Supporting missions that contribute to scientific discovery and technological advancements.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Minotaur-C",
  "description": "A four-stage, solid-fuel launch vehicle part of the Minotaur family of rockets.",
  "url": "https://www.northropgrumman.com/space/minotaur-rocket/",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaur-C"],
  "additionalType": "LaunchVehicle"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013