Minotaur II

{{Infobox Rocket

|name = Minotaur II

|image = Minotaur-2 1.jpg

|caption = Minotaur II launch from Vandenberg

|function = Suborbital launch system

|manufacturer = Orbital Sciences (original);
Northrop Grumman (current)

|country-origin = {{USA}}

|height = {{convert|19.21|m}}

|diameter = {{convert|1.67|m}}

|mass = {{convert|36200|kg}}

|stages = 2 or 3

|capacities =

{{Infobox Rocket/Payload

|location = 8000km S/O

|kilos = {{convert|400|kg}} }}

|status = Active

|sites = Vandenberg LF-06
Vandenberg TP-01

|first = 28 May 2000

|last = 7 July 2022

|launches = 9

|success = 8

|stagedata =

{{Infobox Rocket/Stage

|type = stage

|stageno = First

|name = M55E1

|engines = 1 Solid

|thrust = {{convert|935|kN}}

|burntime =

|fuel = Solid

}}

{{Infobox Rocket/Stage

|type = stage

|stageno = Second

|name = SR19AJ1

|engines = 1 Solid

|thrust = {{convert|268|kN}}

|burntime =

|fuel = Solid

}}

{{Infobox Rocket/Stage

|type = stage

|stageno = Third

|name = M57A1

|diff = Baseline

|engines = 1 Solid

|thrust =

|burntime =

|fuel = Solid

}}

{{Infobox Rocket/Stage

|type = stage

|stageno = Third

|name = SR-73-AJ

|diff = Minotaur II+

|engines = 1 Solid

|thrust =

|burntime =

|fuel = Solid

}}

{{Infobox Rocket/Stage

|type = stage

|stageno = Third

|name = Orion 50XL

|diff = Heavy

|engines = 1 Solid

|thrust = {{convert|118.2|kN}}

|burntime = 74 seconds

|fuel = Solid

}}

}}

Minotaur II rockets consist of the M55A1 first stage and SR19AJ1 second stage of a decommissioned Minuteman missile. The third stage varies depending on the configuration required for the payload: a Minuteman II M57A1 stage is used on the baseline configuration, whilst the Minotaur II+ uses an SR-73-AJ. The Minotaur II Lite is a two-stage configuration, without a third stage. A heavy configuration is also available, with an Orion 50XL third stage, as used on the Minotaur I. The baseline configuration can propel a {{convert|400|kg}} payload {{convert|4000|km}} downrange, whilst the heavy configuration can place {{convert|1400|kg}} onto an {{convert|8000|km|adj=on}} trajectory.

Nine Minotaur II rockets have been launched as of July 2022, with six flights using the baseline configuration and three using the Minotaur II+ configuration. Launches are conducted from Launch Facility 06 (LF-06) and Test Pad 01 (TP-01).