Atlas SLV-3

Atlas SLV-3
Function Expendable launch system
Sounding rocket
Manufacturer Convair
General Dynamics
Country of origin United States
Launch history
Status Retired
Launch sites SLC-3E, Vandenberg
LC-14, Cape Canaveral
Total launches 5
Successes 3
Failures 2
First flight 1 June 1966
Last flight 16 August 1968

The Atlas SLV-3, or SLV-3 Atlas was an American expendable launch system derived from the SM-65 Atlas / SM-65D Atlas missile. It was a member of the Atlas family of rockets.

The Atlas SLV-3 was a stage and a half rocket, built as a standardized replacement for earlier Atlas launch systems, which had been derived from the various Atlas missiles.[1]

Most space launcher variants of the Atlas up to 1965 were derived from the D-series Atlas ICBM with custom modifications for the needs of the particular mission. The SLV-3 would use a standardized configuration based on the Atlas D missile for all launches with the exception of different widths for the top of the rocket depending on the upper stage being flown.

The SLV-3 had thicker gauge tank walls to support the weight of upper stages as well as upgraded engines and removal of unneeded ICBM hardware such as retrorockets. Although the main engines had greater thrust, the verniers were detuned slightly in the interest of improved ISP (vacuum specific impulse).

Variants of the SLV-3 flew until 2004 when the legacy Atlas was retired from service and replaced by the Atlas V, a completely new vehicle with conventional aircraft-style construction and different engines.

Versions

The following versions of the launch system were produced.[2][3]

Atlas-SLV3

ATDA atop an Atlas-SLV3 launch vehicle

It is most well known for launching the Augmented Target Docking Adapter (ATDA). The launch was conducted on 1 June 1966, and was the first flight of the Atlas SLV-3 as an independent vehicle.[4] The rocket was also used for three suborbital tests of X-23 Prime re-entry vehicles.

A Burner II upper stage could be used to increase payload.[5] The Atlas SLV-3 was also used as the first stage of several Atlas-Agena and Atlas-Centaur variants.

Atlas-SLV3A

Atlas-SLV3B

Atlas-SLV3C

Mariner 7 launch by an Atlas-SLV3C

Atlas-SLV3D

Atlas SLV-3D Centaur-D1A rocket which launching Mariner 10

References

External links

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