News Media Invited to View Orbital ATK’s Minotaur IV Pathfinder and Space Florida’s Launch Complex–46
Orbital ATK’s Minotaur IV rocket to launch U.S. Air Force’s ORS-5 Satellite in July
CCAFS, February 9, 2017– Orbital ATK (NYSE: OA) and Space Florida invite reporters to see the completed stacking of the Minotaur IV inert pathfinder motors (three stages) and speak to company officials. The pathfinder event was completed to test the new pad infrastructure and stacking operations in preparation for the upcoming launch of Orbital ATK’s Minotaur IV vehicle carrying the U.S. Airforce’s Operationally Responsive Space ORS-5 satellite out of LC-46.
Who: Terry Luchi, Dir. Minotaur Programs, Orbital ATK Launch Vehicles Division
Mark Bontrager, VP of Spaceport Operations, Space Florida
What: Brief presentation with Q&A session and photo-op of LC-46 and pathfinder
When: Sunday, February 12, 2017
Time: 10:30 a.m. meet time with event to start at 11 a.m.
Where: Reporters will meet at Space Florida’s South Campus outside of Gate 1 and caravan to Launch Complex-46. RSVP Required*
Background on Minotaur and LC-46
Under the U.S. Air Force’s Orbital/Suborbital Program-3 (OSP-3) contract, Orbital ATK integrates, tests and provides space launch services for the Minotaur fleet of rockets. The Minotaur program boasts 100% success rate with 25 out of 25 launches, and with this launch from LC-46 the company demonstrates its ability to launch from four U.S. launch sites. The USAF 45th Space Wing issued Real Property Licenses to Space Florida for Launch Complexes 36 and 46 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in 2010. The same year, the Federal Aviation Administration approved a Launch Site Operator’s License for commercial launches at Launch Complex 46. The Minotaur ORS-5 mission marks the first launch under this new structure.
*Media must be U.S. Citizens and RSVP by Friday 9 a.m. EST:
Please contact: Emma Newsham with Space Florida at to (321)730-5301 x-231
Orbital ATK Contacts: Trina Patterson (801) 699-0943 and Kristi Davidson (480) 276-8464