NROL-66 (RPP) (USA-225)

Circle Image

Overview

Destination: Low Earth Orbit
Mission: Government/Top Secret

Low Earth Orbit Space Launch Complex 8 Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

USA-225, also known as the Rapid Pathfinder Prototype (RPP) and NRO Launch 66 (NROL-66), is an American satellite which was launched in 2011. The satellite is being used to perform technology demonstration and development experiments, including advanced dosimeters to characterize the space environment from a 1,200 kilometer low Earth orbit. It is operated by the United States National Reconnaissance Office.

Minotaur I

Family: Minotaur
Configuration:

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.

Specifications
  • Minimum Stage
    4
  • Max Stage
    5
  • Length
    19.21 m
  • Diameter
    1.67 m
  • Fairing Diameter
  • Launch Mass
    36 T
  • Thrust
    935 kN
Family
  • Name
    Minotaur I
  • Family
    Minotaur
  • Variant
  • Alias
    Minotaur OSP-SLV
  • Full Name
    Minotaur I
Payload Capacity
  • Launch Cost
  • Low Earth Orbit
    580 kg
  • Geostationary Transfer Orbit
  • Direct Geostationary
  • Sun-Synchronous Capacity
    331 kg

Orbital Sciences Corporation

Orbital Sciences Corporation

(OSC)

Successes: 65 Failures: 7 Pending: 0

Agency Type: Commercial

INFO WIKI

Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA

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