# Minotaur

> family of American rockets

**Wikidata**: [Q1727072](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1727072)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Minotaur_(rocket_family))  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/minotaur

## Summary  
Minotaur is a family of American expendable launch vehicles built from solid‑propellant stages, primarily derived from de‑commissioned intercontinental ballistic missiles. Managed by the U.S. Space Systems Command and manufactured successively by Orbital Sciences Corporation and Northrop Grumman, the series includes the Minotaur I, II, III, IV, V and the four‑stage Minotaur‑C.

## Key Facts  
- **Family type:** Expendable, solid‑propellant, multistage rockets (rocket family).  
- **Country of origin:** United States.  
- **Manufacturer timeline:** Orbital Sciences Corporation (until 2015) → Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (2015‑2020) → Northrop Grumman Space Systems (2020‑present).  
- **Commissioned by:** U.S. Space Systems Command.  
- **Variants:** Minotaur‑I, Minotaur‑II (sub‑orbital), Minotaur‑III (sub‑orbital heavy), Minotaur‑IV (derived from LGM‑118 Peacekeeper ICBM), Minotaur‑V, Minotaur‑C (four‑stage solid‑fuel).  
- **Naming:** Named after the mythological creature “Minotaur.”  
- **Classification:** Subclass of expendable launch vehicle, solid‑propellant rocket, and multistage rocket.  
- **Image reference:** ![Minotaur rocket](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Special:FilePath/NFIRE1.jpg).  

## FAQs  
### Q: What is the Minotaur rocket family?  
A: Minotaur is a series of U.S. expendable launch vehicles that use solid‑fuel stages, many of which are repurposed from retired ICBMs, to place payloads into orbit or conduct sub‑orbital flights.  

### Q: How many variants of Minotaur exist?  
A: Six main variants exist: Minotaur‑I, Minotaur‑II, Minotaur‑III, Minotaur‑IV, Minotaur‑V, and Minotaur‑C, each tailored for different payload sizes and mission profiles.  

### Q: Who builds the Minotaur rockets?  
A: The rockets were originally built by Orbital Sciences Corporation; production transferred to Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems in 2015 and later to Northrop Grumman Space Systems in 2020.  

### Q: What missions does Minotaur support?  
A: Minotaur launches serve U.S. government and military payloads, scientific experiments, and technology demonstrators, offering a cost‑effective alternative to larger launch systems.  

### Q: Why is Minotaur different from the mythological Minotaur?  
A: The rocket family is a technical system; it is “different from” the mythological creature despite sharing the same name.  

## Why It Matters  
Minotaur provides the United States with a reliable, low‑cost launch capability that leverages existing solid‑propellant missile technology. By converting retired ICBM stages—most notably the Peacekeeper missile for the Minotaur‑IV—into space launch vehicles, the program reduces development expenses and shortens production cycles. This reuse strategy supports national security missions, scientific research, and commercial payloads while maintaining a domestic launch infrastructure independent of foreign providers. The family’s flexibility, demonstrated through multiple variants ranging from sub‑orbital test flights to orbital payload delivery, makes it a versatile asset for the U.S. Space Force and other government agencies. Its continued evolution under Northrop Grumman ensures that the United States retains strategic launch options for a wide array of missions.  

## Notable For  
- **Missile‑derived launchers:** First U.S. launch system to repurpose de‑commissioned ICBM stages (e.g., Peacekeeper for Minotaur‑IV).  
- **All‑solid propulsion:** Uses only solid‑fuel stages, simplifying logistics and reducing launch preparation time.  
- **Multiple mission classes:** Supports both sub‑orbital (Minotaur II/III) and orbital (Minotaur I/IV/V/C) missions.  
- **Long‑term governmental use:** Operated under the U.S. Space Systems Command for national security payloads.  
- **Manufacturer continuity:** Transitioned smoothly across three corporate entities while maintaining production and support.  

## Body  

### Overview  
Minotaur is classified as an expendable launch vehicle family. Each rocket is discarded after a single flight, a standard practice for solid‑propellant systems. The family falls under the broader categories of solid‑propellant rockets and multistage rockets.

### Variants  

| Variant | Primary Use | Notable Feature |
|---------|-------------|-----------------|
| **Minotaur‑I** | Orbital payloads (small satellites) | First operational member of the family. |
| **Minotaur‑II** | Sub‑orbital research flights | Two‑stage solid rocket. |
| **Minotaur‑III** | Heavy sub‑orbital missions | Adds a third stage for higher energy. |
| **Minotaur‑IV** | Medium‑class orbital launches | Built from LGM‑118 Peacekeeper ICBM stages. |
| **Minotaur‑V** | Larger orbital payloads | Four‑stage configuration. |
| **Minotaur‑C** | Four‑stage solid‑fuel launch vehicle | Designed for higher‑energy missions. |

### Technical Characteristics  
- **Propulsion:** All stages use solid propellant, eliminating the need for liquid‑fuel handling.  
- **Stages:** Configurations range from two to four stages, depending on the variant.  
- **Payload capacity:** Varies by model; Minotaur‑IV and Minotaur‑V can place several hundred kilograms into low Earth orbit.  

### Manufacturing History  
1. **Orbital Sciences Corporation** – Original developer and builder until 2015.  
2. **Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems** – Took over production in 2015, continuing development through 2020.  
3. **Northrop Grumman Space Systems** – Current manufacturer from 2020 onward.  

### Operational Use  
- **Commissioning agency:** Space Systems Command (U.S. Department of Defense).  
- **Typical missions:** Deployment of government‑owned satellites, technology demonstrators, and scientific experiments.  
- **Launch sites:** Primarily conducted from Vandenberg Air Force Base and other U.S. government ranges.  

### Related Entities  
- **Expendable launch vehicle:** The broader class to which Minotaur belongs.  
- **Solid‑propellant rocket:** The propulsion technology used across the family.  
- **Multistage rocket:** Structural design enabling staged separation for efficient ascent.  

## Schema Markup  
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  "name": "Minotaur (rocket family)",
  "description": "A family of American expendable launch vehicles built from solid‑propellant stages, used for orbital and sub‑orbital missions.",
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## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
2. BabelNet