Northrop Grumman Space Systems | Minotaur IV | STP-S29A Rocket Launch
Northrop Grumman Space Systems is scheduled to launch a Minotaur IV rocket as part of the STP-S29A mission. The launch is scheduled on 09/30/2025 00:00 UTC for the Technology mission launching from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA. The status of the launch is Date/Time TBD. Don’t miss this exciting rocket launch! Watch the launch video of the Minotaur IV and experience the excitement for yourself.
Mission: STP-S29A
STP-S29A is a mission under the U.S. Department of Defense’s Space Test Program (STP) that will deliver technology demonstrations to orbit and contribute to future space system development, with this launch delivering up to 200 kg of STP cubesats to Low Earth Orbit.
The main payload will be STPSat-7, an ESPA class satellite based on the Aegis Aerospace M-1 satellite bus used on the STPSat-4 mission for hosting research and technology demonstration payloads for the Department of Defense (DoD). One of the payload is U.S. Naval Research Laboratory’s (NRL) Lightsheet Anomaly Resolution and Debris Observation (LARADO) instrument, used to detect and characterize lethal non-trackable orbital debris with lasers in orbit.
Rocket: Minotaur IV
The Minotaur IV launch system is derived from the Peacekeeper ICBM. The first three stages are taken directly from decommissioned Peacekeeper missiles. A fourth stage, the Orion-38, is taken from the Pegasus family of air-launched rockets.
Agency: Northrop Grumman Space Systems
Northrup Grumman Space Systems designs, builds and delivers space, defence and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. They aquired Orbital ATK in 2018 along with its launchers and ongoing missions.