NROL-111

Mission

NROL-111

Type: Government/Top Secret

Classified payload for the U.S. National Reconnaissance Office.

Location

Launch Area 0 B

Wallops Island, Virginia, USA

21 rockets have launched from Wallops Island, Virginia, USA.

Rocket

Minotaur I

Length: 19.21 meters
Diameter: 1.67 meters
First Launch: January 27, 2000

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. 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 rocket has been launched a total of 3 times with 3 successful and 0 failed launches.

Agency

Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems

Type: Commercial
Abbreviation: NGIS
Administration: CEO: Wesley G. Bush
Founded: 2015
Launchers: Antares | Minotaur | Pegasus
Spacecraft: Cygnus
Country: USA

Northrup Grumman Innovation 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. Antares launches from Wallops in Virginia. Minotaur has many launch sites, with the most active now being Cape Canaveral and Vandenberg. Pegasus is an air launched vehicle from an aircraft and so has many launch locations.