Launch successful for Minotaur IV, first Space Force mission rocket from Wallops

WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. — A Minotaur IV rocket launched successfully from Virginia's NASA Wallops Flight Facility on Tuesday morning,marking the beginning of the first-ever mission from Wallops by the U.S. Space Force.

The rocket, carrying four classified payloads for the National Reconnaissance Office, is the first Minotaur launch from Wallops since 2013 and the second orbital launch of 2020 from the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport launch pads. Minotaur rockets have been launched from Wallops for nearly 14 years.

The launch countdown was held for about 46 minutes for a boat in the restricted zone; after the area was cleared, the countdown restarted. Launch time was 9:46 a.m.

The NRO is a Department of Defense agency responsible for developing, acquiring, launching, and operating America’s intelligence satellites to meet the national security needs of the nation. In addition to being the first mission launched from Wallops by the U.S. Space Force, the Minotaur IV launch marked the first dedicated mission from Wallops by the NRO.

Read more: https://www.newsleader.com/story/news/2020/07/15/minotaur-iv-launch-nasa-wallops-successful-space-force/5442073002/
(Staunton News Leader)