Pegasus XL
Northrop Grumman Innovation Systems (NGIS) produces the Pegasus XL, a small expendable rocket that attaches beneath the company’s Stargazer L-1011 aircraft to approximately 40,000 feet over open ocean, where it is released and free-falls five seconds before igniting its first stage rocket motor. It is the only airborne-launched rocket. The three-stage Pegasus rocket is used to deploy small satellites weighing up to 1,000 lbs (453.59 kg) into low-Earth orbit. This patented air-launch system provides customers flexibility in launch location and requires minimal ground support.
Antares
Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket is a two-stage vehicle with an optional third stage that provides low-Earth orbit launch capability for payloads weighing up to 17,636 lbs (8,000 kg). The Antares design utilizes powerful RD-181 first stage engines and is primarily used to support the company’s Commercial Resupply Services contract with NASA.
Minotaur-C (Taurus XL)
Minotaur Commercial (Minotaur-C), formerly known as Taurus XL, is a four stage solid fueled launch vehicle built by Northrop Grumman. Minotaur-C is based on the air-launched Pegasus rocket, substituting the carrier aircraft for a powerful solid rocket motor to carry the vehicle away from the ground. Minotaur-C is able to carry a maximum payload of 3,214 lbs (1,458 kg) into a low-Earth orbit.