Orbital Sciences Corp. received a contract from the U.S. Air Force for two Minotaur launches under the Rocket System Launch Program, the company announced May 25.

Under the $23 million contract, Dulles, Va.-based Orbital will launch the TacSat-2 satellite before the end of 2006. The mission is designed to demonstrate the ability to conduct an operationally responsive launch just six months after contract award. The second launch, carrying the TacSat-3 satellite, is scheduled to take place within a year of the first mission and is slated for September 2007.

The satellites are part of a series of experimental spacecraft designed to demonstrate new technologies and capabilities for providing responsive space-based support of military operations. The Air Force Research Laboratory at Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico is leading the satellite development teams, which include space organizations from the Air Force, Navy and Army.