Orbital Minotaur V
This is Orbital Science's Minotaur V Launch Vehicle in the LADEE mission markings. Orbital has a nice page about the Minotaur IV if you're wondering about it. The Minotaur V is just a longer version of the IV that can carry more payload. Because of NASA's general media engagement strategy, I was able to find most of the markings pretty easily. There were a few I had to scrounge for, but I was able to track them down. Sometimes you just have to be creative. The online pictures of the rocket really showed off the rocket well, so it at least made it a little easier.
This this model isn't very exciting to build, it is another of Orbital's rockets, and the markings are interesting. I thought it would be a nice addition to anyone who like smaller models, and to those who are interested in the LADEE mission.
Pictures and Download
I had designed this model around the time LADEE was launched, but I was delayed in releasing the model due to various reasons. The model was based on the Minotaur IV, this one being just a little bit longer. It's essentially a tube with a nose cone on top and an engine on the bottom. It should be fairly easy to build.
Because it's just a longer Minotaur IV, designing it was pretty easy, and I was able to reuse about 90% of the Minotaur IV design and layout. The hardest part was trying to remember how I did it in the first place. But once I was able to retrace my steps, the designing and layout were easy.
I really like all the decals on the rocket, despite the basic shape. All the logos make a simple model looks much more interesting and not so plain. And with the rest of the Minotaur family, it really brings the group together.
Download the Minotaur V model here.
Instructions and building notes are included with the model. I recommend that you print this on regular white paper, around 24 lb. Also you can use the same stand that I made for the Minotaur IV, and here it is: