Atlas

Launch of an Atlas V rocket in 2005

Atlas is a family of United States space launch vehicles. The original Atlas missile was designed in the late 1950s and produced by the Convair Division of General Dynamics,^[1] to be used as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). It was a liquid-fuel rocket burning liquid oxygen and RP-1 in three engines configured in an unusual "stage-and-a-half" or "Parallel Staging" design: its two outboard booster engines were jettisoned during ascent, while its center sustainer engine, fuel tanks and other structural elements were retained into orbit.

The missiles saw only brief ICBM service, and the last squadron was taken off operational alert in 1965. From 1962 to 1963, Atlas boosters launched the first four American astronauts to orbit the Earth. Various Atlas II models were launched 63 times between 1991 and 2004. There were only six launches of the Atlas III, all between 2000 and 2005. The Atlas V is still in service, with launches planned until 2020.

More than 300 Atlas launches have been conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida and 285 from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

Atlas family evolution

Intercontinental ballistic missile

Launch of an Atlas B intercontinental ballistic missile		Launch of the first American manned orbital space flight

The first successful test launch of an SM-65 Atlas missile was on December 17, 1957.^[2] Approximately 350 Atlas missiles were built. Many were eventually converted to orbital launch vehicles after they were removed from service as missiles. Missiles converted into Atlas E/F "space boosters" were used to launch the early "Block I" GPS satellites.^[3]

Early Atlas rockets were also built specifically for non-military uses. On December 18, 1958, an Atlas was used to launch the Signal Communication by Orbiting Relay Equipment (SCORE) satellite, which was, "The first prototype of a communications satellite, and the first test of any satellite for direct practical applications."^[4][5] The satellite broadcast President Eisenhower’s pre-recorded Christmas message around the world.

The Atlas boosters would collapse under their own weight if not kept pressurized with nitrogen gas in the tank, even when not fueled. The Atlas booster was unusual in its use of balloon tanks for holding its fuel. The rockets were made from very thin stainless steel that offered minimal or no rigid support. It was pressure in the tanks that gave the rigidity required for space flight.

Atlas boosters were also used for the last four manned Project Mercury missions, the first United States manned space program. On February 20, 1962 it launched Friendship 7, which made three earth orbits carrying John Glenn, the first United States astronaut to orbit the Earth. Identical Atlas boosters successfully launched three more manned Mercury orbital missions from 1962 to 1963.

Beginning in 1960, the Agena upper-stage, powered by hypergolic propellant, was used extensively on Atlas launch vehicles. The United States Air Force, NRO and CIA used them to launch SIGINT satellites.^[6] NASA used them in the Ranger program to obtain the first close-up images of the surface of the Moon and for Mariner 2, the first spacecraft to fly by another planet. Each of the Agena target vehicles used for the later space rendezvous practice missions of Gemini was launched on an Atlas rocket.

Beginning in 1963, the liquid hydrogen-fueled Centaur upper stage was also used on dozens of Atlas launches. NASA launched the Surveyor program lunar lander spacecraft and most of the Mars-bound Mariner program spacecraft with Atlas-Centaur launch vehicles.

Launch vehicles

An Atlas-Agena launches an Agena Target vehicle for the rendezvous missions of Project Gemini.

Atlas-Vega

Atlas-Vega consisted of an Atlas booster with a storable propellant upper stage. It was planned by NASA at its inception for deep space and planetary missions before the Atlas Centaur was available. Work had already begun when NASA discovered the CIA and the United States Air Force had an essentially identical launch vehicle (Atlas-Hustler, later called Atlas-Agena) in development for the highly-classified Corona reconnaissance satellite program. Atlas-Vega was accordingly canceled. Launch Vehicle: Atlas E. Initial fully operational version of Atlas ICBM. Differed in guidance system from Atlas F. Deployed as missiles from 1960 to 1966. After retirement, the ICBMs were refurbished and used for over 20 years as space launch vehicles.

Atlas-Able

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SLV-3 Atlas

The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle, or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a man-rated version of the Atlas used to launch the four manned orbital flights of Project Mercury. It first flew on July 29, 1960, launching the suborbital Mercury-Atlas 1 test flight. Nine LV-3Bs were launched, two on unmanned suborbital test flights, three on unmanned orbital test flights, and four with manned Mercury spacecraft.^[7]

Atlas-Agena

The Atlas-Agena design was used for 119 orbital launches between 1960 and 1978.^[7] Atlas-Agena vehicles were used to launch a number of Missile Defense Alarm System satellites from 1961 to 1963, seven Canyon satellites between 1968 and 1977 and a number of KH-7 Gambit spy satellites from 1963 to 1967, as well as a number of Missile Defense Alarm System satellites.

Atlas-Agenas were also used to launch Agena target vehicles for several Gemini missions.

Atlas-Centaur

Atlas IIB/Centaur launch, circa 1965.

The Atlas-Centaur was an American expendable launch system designed and built by the General Dynamics Convair Division. It was derived from the SM-65 Atlas missile. It was used for 61 orbital launches between 1962 and 1983.^[8]

Atlas Centaur/LV-3C

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Atlas Centaur/SLV-3C

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Atlas Centaur SLV-3D

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Atlas G

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Atlas H

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Current Atlas family

Atlas Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle (EELV) family of launch vehicles (U.S. Govt.)

Atlas launch vehicle evolution. (USAF)

• Atlas I
• Atlas II
• Atlas III
• Atlas V

The first flight of an Atlas I launched the CRRES satellite on July 25, 1990.^[9]

The Atlas II series had 63 successful flights with the last launched August 31, 2004, it is considered one of the most reliable launchers in the world.

The Atlas III was a major revised version from Atlas II, which both dropped balloon tank design, together with the 1.5 stage in previous Altas family. It is the first Atlas rocket that adopted Russian-designed RD-180 engine at the first stage.

The newest version of Atlas, the Atlas V, is an Atlas in name alone, as it contains little Atlas technology. It no longer uses balloon tanks nor 1.5 staging, but incorporates a rigid framework for its first stage booster, much like the Titan family of vehicles. The rigid fuselage is heavier, but easier to handle and transport, eliminating the need for constant internal pressure.

Ironically, given Atlas' origin as a military ICBM weapon against the Soviet Union/Russia, the Atlas III and Atlas V use Russian-designed/built NPO Energomash RD-180 engines. These engines are now prepared for production under license by Pratt & Whitney in the United States.

Atlas I

The first stage of the Atlas I is an Atlas H, and the second stage is a Centaur.

Atlas II

In May 1988, the United States Air Force chose General Dynamics (now Lockheed Martin) to develop the Atlas II. The first Atlas II launch placed a Eutelsat satellite into geostationary orbit on December 7, 1991.

Atlas IIA

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Atlas IIAS

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Atlas III

The Atlas III consisted of two stages. The first stage was new, but the upper stage was the Centaur, which is still in use today on the Atlas V EELV. The first stage engines were Russian RD-180s, which are also used by the Atlas V. The Atlas III was produced in two versions. The baseline was the Atlas IIIA, but the Atlas IIIB, featuring a twin-engine version of the Centaur upper stage, was also produced.

Atlas IIIA

The Atlas III was used between 2000 and 2005. Atlas III was the first member of the Atlas family to use "normal" staging. Its first stage used a single RD-180 engine. Featured a single RL10 engine version of the Centaur upper stage,

Atlas IIIB

Featured a twin RL10 engine version of the Centaur upper stage,

Atlas V

The Atlas V is built in Denver, Colorado by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Future production will be shifted to Decatur, Alabama. The first Atlas V launch was on August 21, 2002.

Atlas V HLV

The Atlas V HLV (Heavy Lift Vehicle) would use three Common Core Booster (CCB) stages strapped together to provide the capability necessary to lift 25 tonne payload to low Earth orbit.^{[citation needed]} Approximately 95% of the hardware required for the Atlas HLV has already been flown on the Atlas V single core vehicles.^{[citation needed]}

A report, prepared by RAND Corporation for the Office of the Secretary of Defense in 2006, stated that Lockheed Martin had decided not to develop an Atlas V heavy-lift vehicle (HLV).^[10] The report recommended for the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office to "determine the necessity of an EELV heavy-lift variant, including development of an Atlas V Heavy", and to "resolve the RD-180 issue, including coproduction, Stockpile, or U.S. development of an RD-180 replacement."^[11]

The lifting capability of the Atlas V HLV is roughly equivalent to the Delta IV Heavy. The latter utilizes RS-68 engines developed and produced domestically by Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne.^{[citation needed]}

As of February 2008^[update], the Atlas V HLV configuration was available to customers 30 months from date of order.^[12]

Atlas Phase 2

With the merger of Boeing and Lockheed-Martin space operations into United Launch Alliance, the Atlas V program gained access to the tooling and processes for 5-meter-diameter stages, used on Delta IV. At 5 meters, a stage can accept dual RD-180 engines.^{[clarification needed]} The proposed heavy-lift vehicle is "Atlas Phase 2" or "PH2".^{[clarification needed]} An Atlas V PH2-Heavy (three 5 m stages in parallel; six RD-180s) along with Shuttle-derived, Ares V and Ares V Lite, was considered as a possible heavy lifter for use in future space missions in the Augustine Report.^[13] The Atlas PH2 HLV would launch a payload mass of approximately 70 metric tons into an orbit of 28.5 degree-inclination.^[13]

SM-65A Atlas missile, 1958

Mercury-Atlas 9 at Launch Complex 14

Atlas-Agena

Atlas-Centaur

See also

• Haas (rocket)
• Comparison of orbital launchers families

References

External links

• Atlas at Encyclopedia Astronautica

v t e Atlas rockets Main articles Atlas family SM-65 Atlas Rockets Prototypes MX-774 Atlas A Atlas B Atlas C Missiles Atlas D Atlas E Atlas F Launch Systems Alphabetical Atlas B Atlas D Atlas E/F Atlas G Atlas H Upper Stages Atlas-Able Atlas-Agena Atlas-Centaur Numerical Atlas I Atlas II Atlas III Atlas V Other Atlas LV-3B Atlas SLV-3 GX Launch sites Cape Canaveral LC-11 LC-12 LC-13 LC-14 (S)LC-36 SLC-41 Vandenberg LC-576 SLC-3 SLC-4 Bases Altus Dyess Fairchild Forbes Francis E. Warren Lincoln Offutt Plattsburgh Schilling Walker Components Boosters Aerojet SRM Castor 4A MA First Stages Common Core Booster Upper Stages Able Agena Altair Burner Centaur IABS MSD OIS PTS SGS Star SVS Trident Engines AJ-10 B-8048 B-8081 B-8096 LR-89 LR-105 R-4D RD-180 RL10 RS-56 Corporations Manufacturers Rocket Convair General Dynamics Lockheed Lockheed Martin Engines Aerojet NPO Energomash Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne Thiokol LSPs International Launch Services United Launch Alliance Launches 1957-1959 1960-1969 1970-1979 1980-1989 1990-1999 2000-2009 2010-2019

v t e Expendable launch systems Current Spaceflight portal Ariane 5 Atlas V Delta II IV Dnepr-1 GSLV H-IIA H-IIB Kaituozhe-1 Kosmos-3M Long March 1D 2C 2D 2F 3A 3B 3C 4B 4C Minotaur I IV Naro-1 Paektusan Pegasus Proton-M PSLV Rokot Safir Shavit Shtil' Start-1 Strela Soyuz U FG 2 Taurus Tsyklon-2 Unha Vega VLS-1 Volna Zenit 2 2M 3SL 3SLB 3F Planned Angara Antares Athena Ic IIc Ausroc IV Epsilon GSLV III Haas Long March 5 6 7 Minotaur V Naro-2 Rocket Lab RPS (420, 550) Simorgh SLS Southern Cross Soyuz-2-1v SPARK Tsyklon-4 VLM VLS-Alfa VLS-Beta Previous Ariane 1 2 3 4 ASLV Athena I II Atlas B D E/F G H I II III LV-3B SLV-3 Able Agena Centaur Black Arrow Conestoga Delta A B C D E G J L M N 0100 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 III Diamant Energia Europa Falcon 1‡ Feng Bao 1 H-I H-II J-I Juno I Juno II Kosmos 1 2I 3 Lambda 4S Long March 1 2A 2E 3 4A Mu 4S 3C 3H 3S 3SII V) N1 N-I N-II Pilot Proton UR-500 K R-7 Luna Molniya M Polyot Soyuz L M U2 Soyuz/Vostok Sputnik Voskhod Vostok L K 2 2M Saturn I IB V INT-21 Scout SLV Sparta Thor Able Ablestar Agena Burner Delta DSV-2U Thorad-Agena Titan II GLV IIIA IIIB IIIC IIID IIIE 34D 23G CT-3 IV Tsyklon 3 Vanguard ‡ – Falcon 1 was designed for partial reuse. However, recovery failed on the first three flights and the remaining vehicles were flown expendably.

v t e Project Mercury General NASA (Organizer) Space race (Political background) Space flight (Scientific background) Contractors McDonnell Aircraft Corporation (Space craft) North American Aviation (Test rocket) Related programs USA Gemini (Mercury Mark II) Apollo (Moon program) Soviet Vostok (Rival in space race) Missions Manned Freedom 7 (First suborbital flight) Liberty Bell 7 Friendship 7 (First orbital flight) Aurora 7 Sigma 7 Faith 7 Unmanned LJ-1 Big Joe 1 LJ-6 LJ-1A LJ-2 LJ-1B Beach Abort MA-1 Little Joe 5 MR-1 MR-1A MR-2 MA-2 LJ-5A MR-BD MA-3 LJ-5B MA-4 MS-1 MA-5 Astronauts General Mercury Seven In order of flight (In suborbit:) Alan Shepard Gus Grissom (In orbit:) John Glenn Scott Carpenter Wally Schirra Gordon Cooper (Did not fly:) Deke Slayton Equipment Navy Mark IV (Space suit) Test animals Ham Enos (Background:) Animals in space Subprograms Mercury-Atlas Mercury-Redstone Mercury-Scout Big Joe Mercury-Jupiter (Canceled) Rockets Atlas Redstone Blue Scout II Little Joe Jupiter (Proposed) Other Mercury 13 (Non NASA project inspired by Project Mercury)