 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
California Wins Minotaur Launch Contract
White Plains N.Y. - June 11, 1998 - Spaceport Systems International (SSI), a limited partnership between ITT Industries and California Commercial Spaceport, Inc. has been selected for the first Minotaur space launch. Under the contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force, SSI will provide commercial payload processing, and range and launch site services for payloads being developed jointly by the U.S. Air Force Academy and Weber State University. The satellite launch, scheduled for late 1999, will be the first launch from SSI's California Spaceport. As part of government efforts to use excess cold war assets for research and education, the U.S. Air Force is converting and utilizing excess Minuteman II launch vehicles for government satellite delivery. The Minotaur is a launch vehicle made up of modified Minuteman Stages I and II mated with Pegasus upper stages and avionics. The Air Force Academy/Weber State University satellites, along with several micro-sets, will be the first payloads to fly on the converted Minuteman. ``This contract is a major win for the California Spaceport,'' said Earl Severo, CEO, Spaceport Systems International. ``We will be able to demonstrate our ability to integrate and provide affordable, high quality launch services while demonstrating reduced cycle times to launch. This sets the course for a full service Spaceport.'' The California Spaceport is located in the southern most corner of Vandenberg Air Force Base and is ideally situated to support direct injection into a broad range of polar orbit inclinations. It is one of four launch facilities designated as ``qualified launch sites'' for the converted Minuteman II launch vehicle. On November 28, 1994, ITT Industries and the California Commercial Spaceport, Inc. announced the limited partnership that resulted in the formation of Spaceport Systems International L.P. Since that time, the company has focused its efforts to bring commercial space services to the central coast of California.
Email This Article Comment On This Article Related Links Space
Satellite Launch To Boost DTH In India
Calcutta, India (SPX) Dec 28, 2005The successful launch Thursday of India's heaviest satellite from spaceport of Kourou in French Guyana may have boosted the country's space research efforts to yet another level, but it has also lifted the spirits of at least three Direct-To-Home televisions broadcasters, one of which has been waiting for years to launch its services in India. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| The content herein, unless otherwise known to be public domain, are Copyright 1995-2006 - SpaceDaily.AFP and UPI Wire Stories are copyright Agence France-Presse and United Press International. ESA PortalReports are copyright European Space Agency. All NASA sourced material is public domain. Additionalcopyrights may apply in whole or part to other bona fide parties. Advertising does not imply endorsement,agreement or approval of any opinions, statements or information provided by SpaceDaily on any Web page published or hosted by SpaceDaily. Privacy Statement |
