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Science Forum Index » Space Forum » Why not Minuteman?
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Message |
| ed kyle |
 Posted: Thu Jan 08, 2004 3:47 pm |
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Guest
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I've recently been reading about the Minuteman ICBM
system. More than 2400 of these missiles were built
over the years. As many as 1000 at a time stood watch
in underground silos, fitted with thermonuke warheads.
More than 840 were launched on test missions or, in
two instances, as part of Minotaur space launch
vehicles.
Today, 500 Minuteman III missiles remain on duty.
There are probably some spares that are not in silos.
(I would guess 100-150). 450 Minuteman II missiles
were removed from service during the early 1990s. I
think that the solid rocket motors for many of these
have been stored.
Altogether the U.S. must have several hundred spare
Minuteman II rockets on hand. Studies have shown that
each one is capable of boosting about one-half ton
to low earth orbit, for about half the cost of
Pegasus, which offers similar capability. Minuteman
should be relatively reliable. More than 98% of the
Minuteman I and II tests were successful.
The problem is that these Minuteman assets have been
reserved for U.S. Defense launches. Why not make this
resource, capable of boosting perhaps 200-300 tons into
low earth orbit altogether, available for commercial
and civil space launches? Wouldn't such activity
provide benefits to the taxpayers who paid for
Minuteman?
- Ed Kyle |
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