Northrop Grumman Space Systems
Countdown to launch

This Minotaur IV mission by Northrop Grumman Space Systems is scheduled to launch from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA. This technology mission targets Low Earth Orbit. The Minotaur rocket family has been instrumental in modern space access, representing decades of engineering refinement in propulsion, guidance systems, and structural design.
Every rocket launch involves precise coordination between the launch vehicle, payload, ground systems, and range safety. The launch window is carefully calculated based on orbital mechanics — for missions targeting the International Space Station, the window may be only seconds long, while interplanetary missions can have windows lasting weeks. Weather conditions, including upper-level winds, lightning risk, and cloud ceiling, are monitored up until the final moments before ignition. Space weather conditions from solar activity can also affect launch decisions, as high radiation levels may pose risks to satellite electronics.
For more launch information, visit the full launch schedule, track the International Space Station where many missions are headed, or browse launch photography in the NASA gallery.
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.
Vehicle
Family
Window Opens
Window Closes
Webcast will be available closer to launch
Pad
Space Launch Complex 8
Location
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Country
USA
Coordinates
34.57635, -120.63245

Northrop Grumman Space Systems
Commercial
Country
USA
Current date is a placeholder or rough estimation based on unreliable or interpreted sources.