The Taurus is an Orbital Sciences Corporation (OSC) booster, initially developed under a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) contract for a demonstration launch of a "standard small launch vehicle". The first Taurus debuted in 1994 with the successful launch of the Space Test Experiment Program M0/DARPASAT payload.
The Taurus is a four-stage, all-solid rocket vehicle, which builds on the design of the Pegasus by adding an initial Castor 120 to the configuration and designating it "Stage 0" (minus the winged body that the Pegasus needs for air flight).
Шведско-германская ракета Taurus KEPD 350 || Обзор
Taurus XL Details and Capabilities
Current OSC plans are to market a next generation version, the Taurus XL, which uses the same upper stages as the Pegasus XL. OSC intends to offer various versions of an upper stage, including the standard Orion 38 (now used on the Pegasus and Taurus) and the Star 37, which is larger and meant as a growth option.
The Taurus XL/Orion 38 will launch 945 kg to Sun-synchronous orbit at 700 km. The Taurus XL/Star 37 will increase performance to the above orbit to around 1,160 kg.
OSC plans to launch from Vandenburg Air Force Base for Sun-synchronous missions and from Cape Canaveral for lower inclination orbits. OSC cites the cost of a dedicated manifest Taurus launch in the range of $18 million to $22 million. For its Medlite contract, NASA gives a cost of $30 million for the Taurus XL and $35 million for the XL version with an upper stage (Orion 38 or Star 37). The Taurus is available in both a 63 in. diameter fairing and a 92 in. one.
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Payload Capacity
The Taurus XL is designed to carry payloads to various orbits, with different configurations affecting its capabilities:
- Taurus XL/Orion 38: 945 kg to Sun-synchronous orbit at 700 km.
- Taurus XL/Star 37: Approximately 1,160 kg to Sun-synchronous orbit at 700 km.
Cost Estimates
The cost of a dedicated Taurus launch can vary:
- OSC Estimate: $18 million to $22 million.
- NASA (Medlite contract): $30 million for Taurus XL, $35 million for XL version with upper stage (Orion 38 or Star 37).
Minotaur-C: An Upgraded Version of Taurus XL
The Minotaur-C rocket is a rebranded, upgraded version of Orbital ATK’s Taurus XL launcher, which last flew in March 2011, when it failed to put a NASA climate research satellite into orbit. Orbital ATK, then known as Orbital Sciences, redesigned parts of the fairing and modified the Taurus rocket’s avionics systems, adding hardware demonstrated on the company’s Minotaur 1 and Minotaur 4 rocket families.
“There are some Taurus components that remain in the system, but one of the reasons we changed the name was we’re going to a more common avionics between our Minotaur program, the Minotaur-C, and the Pegasus to maximize the commonality and to really drive down cost,” said Phil Joyce, Orbital ATK’s vice president of small launch programs. The Minotaur-C’s first stage - called Stage 0 by Orbital ATK - is a Castor 120 rocket motor that is the commercial equivalent of a Peacekeeper first stage.
Launch History and Missions
The Taurus XL has been used in several missions, including:
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- The first Taurus debuted in 1994 with the successful launch of the Space Test Experiment Program M0/DARPASAT payload.
- The Taurus XL launcher failed in March 2011 to put a NASA climate research satellite into orbit.
Glory Mission and the Taurus XL
NASA's newest Earth-observing research mission was nearing launch. The Glory mission was to improve our understanding of how the sun and tiny atmospheric particles called aerosols affect Earth's climate. Glory also was to extend a legacy of long-term solar measurements needed to address key uncertainties about climate change. The spacecraft was to be mated to Orbital's Taurus XL 3110 rocket.
The satellite, designed to improve our understanding of Earth’s climate, was lost March 4, 2011, when it failed to reach orbit after launch aboard an Orbital Sciences Corp. The mishap investigation board was not able to identify the definitive cause for the fairing system failure, but it did recommend ways to prevent future problems associated with the joint system that makes up the fairing.
Launch Options for Small Satellites
Small satellite owners like Planet would like to see more launch options for their spacecraft, particularly for dedicated rides. While satellite owners can find reduced launch costs on a rideshare mission, they run the risk of delays, and launch brokers cannot put all of the payloads in their perfectly-desired orbit.
Most of Planet’s satellites are in sun-synchronous-type orbits that fly over imaging targets in the morning. The SkySats collect imagery with resolution as sharp as 2.6 feet (80 centimeters), an imaging resolution exceeded larger, more expensive satellites owned by companies like Airbus and DigitalGlobe. Each Dove satellite can collect imagery of an area the size of Mexico each day, and the constellation together can map all of Earth’s land masses in 24 hours.
| Launch Vehicle | Payload to Sun-Synchronous Orbit (700 km) | Estimated Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Taurus XL/Orion 38 | 945 kg | $18 million - $35 million |
| Taurus XL/Star 37 | 1,160 kg | $18 million - $35 million |
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