Stargazer | |
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Stargazer in Northrop Grumman livery, carrying the Pegasus XL for the TacRL-2 mission from Vandenberg Space Force Base in June 2021 | |
Type | Lockheed L-1011 TriStar |
Construction number | 193E-1067 |
Registration | N140SC[1] |
First flight | November 16, 1970 |
Owners and operators | Orbital Sciences Orbital ATK Northrop Grumman |
In service | 1974–present |
Status | Active |
Stargazer is a Lockheed L-1011 TriStar built in 1974, that was modified in 1994 for use by Orbital Sciences (now part of Northrop Grumman) as a mother ship for the Pegasus, a small-lift launch vehicle. As of October 2022[update], 45 rockets (containing nearly 100 satellites) have been launched from Stargazer.[2][3] Stargazer is the only L-1011 airframe still airworthy.[4]