Minotaur Successfully Launches MightySat 2.1

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Minotaur Successfully Launches MightySat 2.1

More Information:

An Orbital Sciences Minotaur successfully launched the USAF MightySat 2.1 from Vandenberg Air Force Base, Commercial Launch Facility pad at 1:09 p.m. PDT (2009 UTC) July 19. The 120 kg (263 lbm) satellite was deployed into a 550 km (297 nmi) circular, sun-synchronous orbit inclined at 97.6 degrees. Initial communications with the satellite indicate that all systems are operating as planned. The launch cost US$13 million. Spectrum Astro built the spacecraft.

The US$21.5 million MightySat 2.1 satellite was built for the U.S. Department of Defense Space Test Program and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). The satellite is host to an imaging instrument, a Fourier Transform Hyperspectral Imager, and a variety of advanced AFRL space technology experiments, such as a solar array concentrator. MightySat 2.1 is planned as a one year mission for its 10 onboard advanced technology experiments, with operation costs projected at US$2.5 million. A follow-on to MightySat 1 launched from the space shuttle Endeavour in December 1998, MightySat 2.1 is the first of what was envisioned as a five-satellite series to demonstrate advanced concepts in space. However, the Air Force has since scaled back funding and this launch could be the last for the MightySat program

Currently, no future Minotaur launches are firmly scheduled. There are three more sets of Minuteman stages designated for Minotaur missions, however, the rocket can only used for launches of national need carrying government or university payloads.

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July 19, 2000