The U.S. Air Force successfully launched the first Operationally Responsive Space prototype satellite aboard a Minotaur I launch vehicle at 11:09 p.m. EDT yesterday from Pad 0B at the NASA Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va. ORS-1 deployed 12 minutes after launch.

This marks a great achievement by the Space and Missile Systems Center's Space Development and Test Directorate, the Operationally Responsive Space Office and their contractor teams.

ORS-1 is the Operationally Responsive Space Office's first operational prototype satellite and represents the potential of low-cost, tactically focused satellites designed to provide critical battlespace awareness capabilities to the joint warfighter.

"Words cannot express how proud I am of the entire ORS-1 team," said Col. Carol Welsch, SMC/SD Acting Director and ORS-1 Mission Director.

"The men and women of the Space Development and Test Directorate, the Operationally Responsive Space Office, and our industry partners of Goodrich, ATK, and Orbital have all worked tirelessly to move forward on the concept of a responsive space capability designed to support the warfighter. Their teamwork and dedication is simply inspiring."

Rapidly developing and fielding ORS-1 is an important step to demonstrating the possibilities to meet emerging and persistent warfighter needs in operationally relevant timelines.

"Our team was able to develop, integrate, test and launch this system in just over 30 months which is a remarkable achievement," said Colonel Welsch.

"We are very pleased to continue our support to the U.S. Air Force and the Operationally Responsive Space Office (ORS) with today's successful launch," said Bill Wrobel, director of NASA's Wallops flight Facility.

"This is the fourth Minotaur 1 launch from Wallops since December 2006 and we look forward to collaborating with the Air Force and ORS on future projects."

"Today's launch continues the Wallops legacy of providing efficient and cost effective support to our launch customers that include government and commercial organizations," Wrobel said.

ORS-1 is the Operationally Responsive Space Office's first operational satellite.

ORS-1 was initiated as a result of a requirement from the Commander, U.S. Strategic Command to the ORS Office to support U.S. Central Command.