[Launch Alert] Vandenberg Launches Minotaur IV

[Brian Webb]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 25, 2010 
Release No. 08-0910

VANDENBERG LAUNCHES MINOTAUR IV 

VANDENBERG AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. - Team Vandenberg launched a Minotaur IV
rocket at 9:41 p.m. Sept. 25 from Space Launch Complex-8 here. 

The Minotaur IV launched the Space-Based Space Surveillance satellite, a
first-of-its-kind satellite that can detect and track orbiting space objects
from space. 

The 30th Space Wing commander, Col. Richard Boltz, was the launch decision
authority.

"SBSS will greatly enhance our existing space situational awareness
capability, a capability vital to protecting our space-based assets," said
Colonel Boltz. "This evening's launch was our third launch in eight days,
and I am extremely proud of Team Vandenberg for all the hard work and
dedication they've put into these important missions."

This launch was a combined effort among the 30th Space Wing, Orbital
Sciences Corporation, The Boeing Company, Ball Aerospace and the Space and
Missile Systems Center.

The Minotaur IV launch vehicle provides the ability to deliver payloads up
to 3000 kilograms on long range, suborbital trajectories. It utilizes
residual Peacekeeper solid rocket motors combined with Orbital's commercial
launch vehicle technologies.
 

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