Minotaur IV HAPS (Orbital Sciences Corporation)

The Minotaur IV HAPS is a non-reusable, active launch vehicle manufactured by Orbital Sciences Corporation. It undertook its inaugural launch on 11/20/2010.

The Minotaur IV HAPS 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. A fifth stage, consisting of a hydrazine-powered motor called HAPS, increases orbital insertion accuracy and allows additional orbital maneuvering.