OSC Minotaur I JAWSAT & FalconSat 1
Minotaur I
Status
Success
Date
27 JAN 2000
03:03
Launch Provider
Orbital Sciences Corporation
Launch Pad
Space Launch Complex 8
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Mission Overview
The JAWSAT (Joint Air Force Academy / Weber State University Satellite) project was developed by students working alongside aerospace professionals. Initially designed with a pulsed-plasma thruster to train Air Force Academy cadets (see JAWSAT), the mission has since evolved to include the efforts of several universities, local aerospace companies, the Air Force Academy, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and NASA. Utilizing breakthrough technologies, JAWSAT deployed four satellites when it reached orbit. The onboard imaging system recorded the deployment of each payload with its six digital cameras. The first free-flying Academy satellite, FalconSat-1 carried the CHAWS (Charging Hazards and Wake Studies) experiment developed by the Physics Department at the Academy.
Rocket
Minotaur I
Mission Type
Test Flight
Orbit
Low Earth Orbit
Stages
5
Livestream
Not availableRocket Details
The Minotaur I launch system is derived from converted Minuteman II ICBMs and is used to launch small satellites for the US Government. The first and second stages, taken directly from decommissioned Minuteman missiles, are mated to the Orion third and fourth stages taken from the Pegasus XL air-launched rocket family. An optional hydrazine-powered fifth stage called HAPS can be used.The Minotaur I launch system is derived from converted Minuteman II ICBMs and is used to launch small satellites for the US Government. An optional hydrazine-powered fifth stage called HAPS can be used.
Height
19.21 m
Diameter
1.67 m
Launch Mass
36 T
Thrust
935 kN