TASC, Inc. provided independent mission assurance, Minotaur I booster processing and day-of-launch support for the successful February 6 launch of a National Reconnaissance Office payload from Vandenberg AFB, CA. The Minotaur I launch is the 20th successful launch for the Minotaur family of launch vehicles, developed by Orbital Sciences Corporation and supported by TASC.
“We are proud that the efforts of the entire launch team, especially the hard work by the TASC engineers, culminated in continued success for the U.S. Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office,” says Pat Talty, senior vice president of Mission Engineering at TASC. “Twenty consecutive successful launches in 11 years is an extraordinary performance record.”
The Minotaur I launch vehicle used for this mission utilizes surplus government rocket motors and commercial launch vehicle technologies and processes. Under the leadership of Orbital Sciences Corporation, TASC is a key member of the team that has developed the Minotaur family. “Once again, this launch proves the team’s ability to meet the Defense Department’s broad goals of greater efficiency, reliability and affordability,” says Talty.
The U.S. Air Force Space Command, Space and Missile Systems Center, Space Development and Test Directorate, Launch Systems Division, located at Kirtland AFB, NM, manages the Minotaur rocket program. The NRO is a joint Department of Defense-Intelligence Community organization responsible for developing, launching and operating the nation’s signals, imagery and communications satellites. The February 5 launch is the fourth of six NRO launches to take place during the agency’s 50th anniversary.
About TASC
Founded in 1966, TASC, Inc., is a leading provider of advanced systems engineering, integration and decision-support services to the Intelligence Community, Department of Defense and civilian agencies of the federal government. With more than 5,000 employees in 40 locations, TASC generates $1.5 billion in annual revenue. For more information and career opportunities, visit our website at www.tasc.com.
Media Contact: Christine Nyirjesy Bragale, TASC Public Relations Manager, Christine.Bragale@TASC.com, (703) 653-5996.
