Technology
STP-S29A is a mission under the U.S. Department of Defense's Space Test Program (STP) that will deliver technology demonstrations to orbit and contribute to future space system development, with this launch delivering up to 200 kg of STP cubesats to Low Earth Orbit. The main payload will be STPSat-7, an ESPA class satellite based on the Aegis Aerospace M-1 satellite bus used on the STPSat-4 mission for hosting research and technology demonstration payloads for the Department of Defense (DoD). One of the payload is U.S. Naval Research Laboratory's (NRL) Lightsheet Anomaly Resolution and Debris Observation (LARADO) instrument, used to detect and characterize lethal non-trackable orbital debris with lasers in orbit.
Orbital Attempt
#7,252
NGSS Mission
#16
Pad Launch
#10
Location Launch
#874
Designator
2026-074
Apr 7, 2026, 11:33 AM
Minute
1 update
The Minotaur IV launch system is derived from the Peacekeeper ICBM. The first three stages are taken directly from decommissioned Peacekeeper missiles. A fourth stage, the Orion-38, is taken from the Pegasus family of air-launched rockets.
Length
23.9 m
Diameter
2.35 m
Launch Mass
86 t
Thrust
2,200 kN
LEO Capacity
1,735 kg
GTO Capacity
0 kg
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
2010
Fastest Turnaround
11mo 25d
Total Launches
5
Successful
5
Failed
0
Consecutive Success
5
Maiden flight: Sep 26, 2010
Launch success.
SourceLiftoff.
SourceUnofficial Webcast by AggieSat Laboratory has started
SourceGo for launch on April 7.
SourceNET April 7.
SourceNET February 2026.
SourceNET December 10.
SourceNET December.
SourceAdded launch.
SourceSpace Launch Complex 8 (SLC-8), is a launch pad at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, United States. It is used by Minotaur rockets. It was originally part of the California Spaceport, and was known as the Commercial Launch Facility (CLF) or Space Launch Facility (SLF).
Total Launches
10
Orbital Attempts
10
Fastest Turnaround
25d 21h
Northrup Grumman Space Systems designs, builds and delivers space, defence and aviation-related systems to customers around the world. They aquired Orbital ATK in 2018 along with its launchers and ongoing missions.
Founded
2015
Administrator
CEO: Kathy Warden
Total Launches
16
Successful
16
Failed
0
Pending
2
Consecutive Success
16
Vandenberg Space Force Base is a United States Space Force Base in Santa Barbara County, California. Established in 1941, Vandenberg Space Force Base is a space launch base, launching spacecraft from the Western Range, and also performs missile testing. The United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 30 serves as the host delta for the base, equivalent to an Air Force air base wing. In addition to its military space launch mission, Vandenberg Space Force Base also hosts space launches for civil and commercial space entities, such as NASA and SpaceX.
Timezone
America/Los_Angeles
Local Launch Time
Apr 7, 2026, 4:33 AM
Total Launches
885
Total Landings
34
Coordinates
34.7513, -120.5202