MISSION OVERVIEW
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.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Minotaur IVMISSION
STP-S29A
MISSION TYPE
Technology
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Space Launch Complex 8LAUNCH SITE
Vandenberg SFB, CA, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Half-year
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: ca4fc7a6-fa84-47f7-89f7-dcf299665817
Reported date: Apr 7, 2026 at 11:33 UTC
Last synced: 5 hours ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
SCHEDULE & STATUS HISTORY
STATUS CHANGEApr 7, 2026 at 19:32 UTC
PARTIAL → SUCCESS
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEApr 7, 2026 at 11:36 UTC
GO → PARTIAL
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(0.1 hrs)
Apr 7, 2026 at 11:36 UTCApr 7, 2026 11:30 → Apr 7, 2026 11:33 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
STATUS CHANGEApr 4, 2026 at 01:47 UTC
TBD → GO
Source: Launch Library 2
MOVED UP(22.5 days)
Apr 4, 2026 at 01:47 UTCApr 30, 2026 00:00 → Apr 7, 2026 11:30 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
DELAYED(23 days)
Apr 2, 2026 at 07:32 UTCApr 7, 2026 00:00 → Apr 30, 2026 00:00 UTC
Source: Launch Library 2
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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PAYLOAD →
AEHF
Military Communications
US Space ForceOPERATOR
GEOORBIT
1TOTAL LAUNCHES
VEHICLE — Minotaur IV →
MANUFACTURER
Orbital ATK
FLIGHTS
5
SUCCESSES
5
SUCCESS RATE
100%
The Minotaur IV launch system is derived from the Peacekeeper ICBM. The first three stages are taken directly from decommissioned Peacekeeper missiles. A fourth stage, the Orion-38, is taken from the Pegasus family of air-launched rockets.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Minotaur IV | STP-S29A launch?
The Minotaur IV | STP-S29A is scheduled for Tuesday, April 7, 2026 at 11:33 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for STP-S29A?
The Minotaur IV | STP-S29A mission uses the Minotaur IV rocket, manufactured by Orbital ATK. The Minotaur IV has flown 5 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Minotaur IV | STP-S29A launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 8 at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is STP-S29A going to?
The STP-S29A mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching STP-S29A?
The Minotaur IV | STP-S29A is operated by Northrop Grumman Space Systems.
Can I watch the Minotaur IV | STP-S29A launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Apr 13, 2026 22:03 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Apr 7, 2026 19:32 UTC
Status changed: PARTIAL u2192 SUCCESS
Launch completed successfully (via Launch Library 2)
Apr 7, 2026 11:36 UTC
Launch delayed by 0.1 hours
Apr 7, 2026 11:30 UTC u2192 Apr 7, 2026 11:33 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Apr 7, 2026 11:36 UTC
Status changed: GO u2192 PARTIAL
Launch partial success (via Launch Library 2)
Apr 4, 2026 01:47 UTC
Launch moved up by 22.5 days
Apr 30, 2026 00:00 UTC u2192 Apr 7, 2026 11:30 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Apr 4, 2026 01:47 UTC
Status changed: TBD u2192 GO
Launch GO for launch (via Launch Library 2)
Apr 2, 2026 07:32 UTC
Launch delayed by 23 days
Apr 7, 2026 00:00 UTC u2192 Apr 30, 2026 00:00 UTC (via Launch Library 2)
Mar 22, 2026 17:24 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 22, 2026 17:24 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 7, 2026 at 11:33 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by Northrop Grumman Space Systems
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 5 hours ago
●Launch Library 25 hours ago
Launch ID: ca4fc7a6-fa84-47f7-89f7-dcf299665817
●Open-Meteo Weather6 hours ago
Pad weather at 34.58, -120.63
●YouTube Video Search2 weeks ago
2 videos discovered
●X (Twitter) Search5 hours ago
10 tweets
RECENT FROM X
2 months ago
AGS6 Launch Livestream (STP-S29A) https://t.co/6fxBY0VSHR @YouTubeu3088u308a
47 ♥ 4 ↻
View on X →2 months ago
NEXT UP:nMinotaur IV : STP-S29A : VSFB SLC-8 : 7 April 2026 (11:30 UTC). NOTAM Issued. Launch drop zones and FAA air space closures.. 4/7/2026 https://t.co/zlOtVOl00u
2 ♥
View on X →2 months ago
ud83dude80LAUNCH SCHEDULEDud83dude80 u2728ufe0fCALIFORNIAnSTP-S29A Minotaur IV | Northrop Grummannn7:30 AM ET (4:30 AM PT), April 6, 2026 nLIVE VIEWS: https://t.co/qjFZN5RIjQ nVandenberg SFB, California, USA nn *Time and date subject to change*
2 ♥
View on X →2 months ago
ud83dudea8 Update on mission Minotaur IV | STP-S29AnnCurrent status: Launch in FlightnnLiftoff.nhttps://t.co/S1IW9K7s6M
1 ♥
View on X →2 months ago
Minotaur IV : STP-S29A launch planned for today, April 7 reportedly has four CubeSats carrying amateur radio payloads nhttps://t.co/S1KpSRPcL1 #amsat #hamradio #hamr
1 ♥
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