The Minotaur IV rocket has made its way to space after launching from the Golden State’s Vandenberg Space Force Base on 16 April 2025. This launch not only kicks off the NROL-174 mission for the US National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) but also marks the first time in 14 years that this rocket has launched from the site.

Minotaur IV Rocket: From A Ballistic Missile To A Space Launch Vehicle

The Minotaur IV rocket is a repurposed space vehicle that uses parts from a ballistic missile. Northrop Grumman is the firm behind the development or repurposing of this space vehicle to make it suitable for orbital flights.

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This rocket is a four-stage vehicle that is 78 feet tall and has been in use for over 14 years. In an official post on X, the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) identifies that this flight “will be the first Minotaur IV to launch from Vandenberg since 2011.”

Its last flight was in July 2020 when it took off in space from a spaceport in Virginia. But why is this rocket back in action after 5 years of dwelling in the shadows?

The 16 April 2025 launch supports the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) NROL-174 mission. Details on this mission are vague, as it involves various government payloads that the agency will control into orbit in space.

All we know is that the NROL-174 mission is under the Rocket Systems Launch Program (RSLP), which focuses on smaller launches. However, an official statement following this successful launch raises questions about the rocket’s fate.

What Does The Future Hold For The Minotaur IV Rocket?

From its start of life as a Peacemaker ICBM to being repurposed for use as a launch vehicle, the Minotaur IV rocket has come a long way. However, some puzzling statements are raising questions about the rocket’s future.

In an official X post, we read that this rocket “has completed its final mission of placing a national security payload on orbit.” Does this mean that the NRO is now retiring the Minotaur IV rocket?

Will we get to see this rocket in use on other missions, just like the NROL-174 mission? At this time, we can’t draw any conclusions on this rocket’s future as there is no official statement from the NRO about its retirement.