According to Orbital Sciences, its Minotaur I launch vehicle successfully boosted a Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency research satellite into orbit Sept. 22 from Vandenberg AFB, Calif. The technology demonstrator satellite was dubbed “streak” for the light show DARPA scientists expected it to exhibit upon launch—it did not disappoint, according to news reports. Streak’s mission, says DARPA, is to demonstrate rapid response, short mission life, and technology applications for low Earth orbit, as well as to gather LEO environmental data.
A newly-released Air Force plan to replace the C-5 and C-17 airlifters with a single airplane type called the Next-Generation Air Lifter (NGAL) will keep those fleets in service another 20 and 50 years, respectively. The plan will likely require a service life extension for the C-17 fleet.
