# Minotaur I

> space launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q3271279](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q3271279)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaur_I)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/minotaur-i

## Summary
Minotaur I is a space launch vehicle manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation. It is an American rocket model that belongs to the Minotaur family of rockets and is notably based on the LGM-30F Minuteman II.

## Key Facts
*   Minotaur I is a space launch vehicle.
*   It is manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
*   Minotaur I is based on the LGM-30F Minuteman II.
*   It is an instance of a rocket model.
*   Minotaur I is a subclass of the Minotaur family of American rockets.
*   Its country of origin is the United States.
*   It has launched various satellites, including JAWSAT, GeneSat-1, USA-165, and TacSat-3.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Minotaur I?
A: Minotaur I is an American space launch vehicle. It is a rocket model manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation and is part of the Minotaur family of rockets.

### Q: Who manufactures the Minotaur I rocket?
A: The Minotaur I space launch vehicle is manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation.

### Q: What is the Minotaur I based on?
A: The Minotaur I space launch vehicle is based on the LGM-30F Minuteman II.

### Q: What family of rockets does Minotaur I belong to?
A: Minotaur I belongs to the Minotaur class, which is a family of American rockets.

## Why It Matters
Minotaur I plays a crucial role in providing access to space for a diverse range of payloads, primarily for the United States. Its significance stems from its ability to launch various types of satellites, including military satellites (e.g., USA-165, TacSat-3, Streak), technology demonstration satellites (e.g., Rapid Pathfinder Prototype, MightySat-2.1, STPSat-3), and even scientific and amateur radio satellites (e.g., GeneSat-1, Orbiting Picosat Automatic Launcher, KySat-2). By utilizing components from the LGM-30F Minuteman II, it represents a strategic approach to space launch capabilities. This enables critical missions for national security, scientific research, and the advancement of space technology, making it an important asset in the U.S. space program.

## Notable For
*   **Derived from ICBM**: It is based on the LGM-30F Minuteman II, an intercontinental ballistic missile.
*   **Versatile Payload Capacity**: Capable of launching a wide array of satellites, from military and technology demonstration payloads to scientific and amateur CubeSats.
*   **Part of Minotaur Family**: It is a key member of the Minotaur family of American rockets, manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation.
*   **U.S. Origin**: A space launch vehicle developed and originating from the United States.

## Body

### Overview
Minotaur I is a space launch vehicle, classified as a rocket model. It is an American rocket, part of the broader Minotaur family.

### Origins and Manufacturer
The Minotaur I is manufactured by Northrop Grumman Corporation. Its design is notably based on the LGM-30F Minuteman II, an existing missile system. The country of origin for the Minotaur I is the United States.

### Payloads and Missions
Minotaur I has been responsible for launching a variety of satellites into orbit, supporting diverse missions. These include:

*   **Military Satellites**:
    *   USA-165
    *   Near Field Infrared Experiment
    *   USA-231
    *   TacSat-2
    *   TacSat-3
    *   Streak (an experimental, classified satellite operated by DARPA)
*   **Technology Demonstration Satellites**:
    *   Rapid Pathfinder Prototype (American technology demonstration satellite)
    *   MightySat-2.1 (American technology demonstration satellite)
    *   STPSat-3 (U.S. Air Force technology demonstration satellite)
*   **Scientific and Research Satellites**:
    *   JAWSAT
    *   GeneSat-1 (NASA's nanosatellite)
    *   DragonSat (artificial satellite)
    *   FalconSat 1
    *   OCS
    *   PharmaSat
    *   AeroCube 3
    *   FORMOSAT-3A, FORMOSAT-3B, FORMOSAT-3C, FORMOSAT-3D, FORMOSAT-3E, FORMOSAT-3F
*   **Amateur Radio and CubeSats**:
    *   Orbiting Picosat Automatic Launcher (U.S. amateur radio satellite)
    *   KySat-2 (former American CubeSat)
    *   HawkSat I
    *   CP-6 (single-unit CubeSat built and operated by California Polytechnic State University)
    *   Vermont Lunar CubeSat
    *   ASUSat (American amateur radio satellite)
    *   CAPE-2 (American amateur miniaturized satellite)

```json
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Minotaur I",
  "description": "space launch vehicle",
  "sameAs": [
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  "manufacturer": {
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    "name": "Northrop Grumman Corporation"
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  "countryOfOrigin": {
    "@type": "Country",
    "name": "United States"
  }
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013