Orbital Sciences Taurus

Orbital Sciences Corp. developed the Taurus series of launch vehicles by matching the three stages of the Pegasus vehicle (less the wings) with a new upper stage. The first launch of the up to 27.90 m long launch vehicle was on 13 March 1994 and until the last flight on 21 September 2001, six flights had been conducted of which one failed. Versions which have flown include the Taurus 1110, Taurus 2110 and Taurus 2210. In the four digit designation the first digit indicates the Taurus version as well as the first and second stages (1 = TU-903, 2 = Castor-120), the second digit indicates the payload fairing size (1 = 1.60 m, 2 = 2,34 m), the third digit the fourth stage motor (1 = Orion-38, 2 = not yet determined, 3 = Star-37) whilst the final digit will indicate a future fifth stage (0 = no fifth stage carried).

Photos: Orbital Sciences
Taurus 1110		Taurus 2110

Specifications for Taurus 1110

Specifications for Standard Taurus 2110/2210

The Taurus 1110 launch vehicle is capable of placing a 1180 kg payload into a low-Earth orbit, whilst the Taurus 2110 has a capability of 1250 kg into low-Earth orbit.

A further development, designated as Taurus XL, uses an Orion 50SXL as the second stage and an Orion 50XL as the third stage. It is capable to place a 1363 kg payload into low-Earth orbit. Its first flight was on 20 May 2004. After two further flights, on 24 February 2009 and 4 March 2011, which both failed to attain the planned orbit, the Taurus program was discontinued.

Specifications for Taurus XL 3110/3210

Main Sources (for updates in 2026)

[1] Gunter Krebs: Gunter's Space Page (launch lists)

Back to Directory of U.S. Military Rockets and Missiles, Appendix 3

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Last Updated: 22 February 2026