The OSP-2 Family of Launch Vehicles Using Surplus Minuteman and Peacekeeper ICBM Motors

Abstract

Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) technolog ies, designs, and hardware have historically been used as the basis for space and suborbital test launch vehicles. The latest application of this technology transfer is the Orbital Suborbital Program -2 (OSP -2). This program was awarded to Orbital Science s Corporation in January 2003 under the management of the United States Air Force (USAF) Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP), SMC Det 12/RP ... This program continues the family of Minuteman -based launch vehicles developed under the original OSP contra ct, including the Minotaur Space Launch Vehicle (SLV) and Ground -based Midcourse Defense (GMD) Target Launch Vehicle (TLV). However, it also adds Peacekeeper -based launch vehicles. In particular, a Peacekeeper SLV ( PK SLV) will be dev eloped providing a significant mass -to -orbit performance improvement over existing small launch vehicles at a significantly lower cost. The flight proven heritage of the Minuteman -based launch vehicles, along with Orbital's Pegasus and Taurus SLVs, are be ing applied to the new Peacekeeper vehicle, providing a reliable, low risk solution to the challenge of low cost spacelift, as well as target delivery for missile defense testing.. This paper focus es on OSP -2 launch vehicle family, with emphasis on th e space lift configurations encompassing the Minotaur SLV and preliminary vehicle design and spacecraft accommodations of the Peacekeeper SLV. Given their heritage as the ultimate in responsive launch operations, ICBM -based systems provide a logical basis for the current emphasis on responsive space and suborbital launch operations.