It was one of two launches set to occur within 12 hours from Vandenberg, where Northrop Grumman’s Minotaur IV is scheduled to launch military and other payloads Tuesday morning. That mission from Space Launch Complex-8 is set to occur between 4:30 p.m. and 8:45 a.m.

SLC-8 currently is the most southern active launch facility at Vandenberg. It’s not visible from Ocean Avenue, Vandenberg Village or other off-base viewing sites.

The fourth and final stage of a Northrop Grumman Minotaur IV rocket is secured at Space Launch Complex 8 at Vandenberg Space Force Base last month. Senior Airman Kevin Hernandez / U.S. Space Force photo

Minotaur will carry the Space Test Program (STP)-S29A mission made up of a variety of Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force and academic institution payloads, including: STPSat-7, Auburn University‘s ASTRA-HyRAX, Texas A&M University‘s AggieSat6, in addition to others. 

Employing three stages furnished by the government from retired Peacekeeper intercontinental ballistic missiles and a new commercial upper stage, the Minotaur IV carries smaller government payloads, up to 3,800 pounds, into space. 

It’s an expendable rocket, so no landing is planned. The spent stages will be ditched in the ocean.

There’s no word of a webcast for this mission. SLC-8’s location means the rocket can’t be seen sitting on the launch pad. 

Meanwhile, Monday’s launch of the Falcon rocket, much bigger than Minotaur, was the inaugural mission for the brand-new booster, carrying a cargo of 25 Starlink satellites. 

Quelle: Noozhawk

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Update: 8.04.2026

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Minotaur IV Launches STP-S29A Mission from Vandenberg, Marking Base’s 23rd Liftoff of 2026

A Minotaur IV rocket carrying the Space Test Program S29A mission launched at 4:33 a.m. on April 7 at Vandenberg Space Force Base. (Photo: VSFB)

Guardians and Airmen at Vandenberg Space Force Base supported the launch of a Minotaur IV rocket carrying the Space Test Program (STP)-S29A mission at 4:33 a.m. PT on Tuesday, April 7, from Space Launch Complex 8. The liftoff marked the 23rd launch of 2026 from Vandenberg.

Approved with a launch window from 4:30 to 8:45 a.m., the STP-S29A mission is delivering a mix of Department of Defense, U.S. Space Force, and academic payloads to orbit. Among them are STPSat-7, Auburn University’s ASTRA-HyRAX, and Texas A&M University’s AggieSat6, along with additional payloads.

Officials noted that residents in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, and Ventura counties may have heard one or more sonic booms associated with the launch, depending on weather and other conditions.

Vandenberg Space Force Base highlighted its role as a vital hub for space access and advanced air and space testing, supporting national security through assured access to space.

Quelle: edhat