Atlas H used the Atlas first stage developed for the Atlas G vehicle. It was flown without the Centaur upper stage.

The Atlas H vehicles launched from Vandenberg AFB used a radio guidance system that was based on a modification of the General Electric Radio Tracking System (GERTS), originally employed on the Atlas D. In fact, the GERTS guidance used for space launch employed one of the original radar stations used for the Atlas D and even used some actual Atlas D components in its Pulse Beacon Decoder, the vehicle's X-band radio transponder. Newer solid state computers were used to run the guidance software and were interfaced with the radar; eventually they were made redundant, although with a human operator charged with detecting failure.

GERTS was a complex, glitch-prone system, its only saving graces being that it was both the cheapest guidance system around and the most reliable, operating for almost 30 years without one flight failure and at a per-flight cost an order of magnitude below that of an inertial guidance system.

Manufacturer: Convair. Launches: 5. Success Rate: 100.00%. First Launch Date: 1983-02-09. Last Launch Date: 1987-05-15. Launch data is: complete. LEO Payload: 3,630 kg (8,000 lb). to: 185 km Orbit. Payload: 2,255 kg (4,971 lb). to a: Geosynchronous transfer trajectory. Apogee: 1,100 km (600 mi). Associated Spacecraft: LIPS, NOSS, NOSS-Subsat. Liftoff Thrust: 1,939.300 kN (435,972 lbf). Total Mass: 150,540 kg (331,880 lb). Core Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Total Length: 27.00 m (88.00 ft). Launch Price $: 50.000 million. in: 1994 price dollars. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 50.000 million. in: 1985 unit dollars.

• Stage Number: 0. 1 x Stage: Atlas MA-5. Gross Mass: 3,646 kg (8,038 lb). Empty Mass: 3,646 kg (8,038 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,896.010 kN (426,240 lbf). Isp: 294 sec. Burn time: 174 sec. Isp(sl): 259 sec. Diameter: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Span: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Length: 0.00 m ( ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 2. Engine: LR-89-7. Status: Out of production.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Atlas G/H/I. Gross Mass: 142,536 kg (314,238 lb). Empty Mass: 4,236 kg (9,338 lb). Thrust (vac): 386.300 kN (86,844 lbf). Isp: 316 sec. Burn time: 266 sec. Isp(sl): 220 sec. Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Span: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Length: 22.20 m (72.80 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: LR-105-7. Status: Out of production.

1983 February 9 - 13:47 GMT - Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: SLC3. Launch Pad: SLC3E. Launch Vehicle: Atlas H. Model: Atlas H. LV Configuration: Atlas H 6001H.

• NOSS 4 Nation: USA. Payload: PARCAE 5. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,063 km (660 mi). Apogee: 1,186 km (736 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.80 min. COSPAR: 1983-008A. USAF Sat Cat: 13791. Ocean surveillance; aka White Cloud type spacecraft; Navy Ocean Surveillance Satellite; PARCAE. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• LIPS 2 Nation: USA. Payload: LIPS 2. Spacecraft: LIPS. Agency: USN. Perigee: 822 km (510 mi). Apogee: 1,399 km (869 mi). Inclination: 63.30 deg. Period: 107.49 min. COSPAR: 1983-008B. USAF Sat Cat: 13792. References: 279.

• SSD (NOSS 4) Nation: USA. Payload: NOSS-Subsat 4-4. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USAF. Perigee: 796 km (494 mi). Apogee: 1,419 km (881 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.42 min. COSPAR: 1983-008C. USAF Sat Cat: 13834. Released from NOSS 4. References: 2, 5, 6, 278.

• SSA (NOSS 4) Nation: USA. Payload: NOSS-Subsat 4-1. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,051 km (653 mi). Apogee: 1,164 km (723 mi). Inclination: 63.50 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1983-008D. USAF Sat Cat: 13835. Released from NOSS 4. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• SSA Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,051 km (653 mi). Apogee: 1,166 km (724 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1983-008E. USAF Sat Cat: 13844. Released from NOSS 4. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• SSB Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Spacecraft: NOSS. Agency: USN. Perigee: 733 km (456 mi). Apogee: 1,489 km (925 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.42 min. COSPAR: 1983-008F. USAF Sat Cat: 13845. References: 279.

• SSC Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,043 km (648 mi). Apogee: 1,173 km (728 mi). Inclination: 63.50 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1983-008H. USAF Sat Cat: 13874. Released from NOSS 4. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• NOSS 5 Nation: USA. Payload: PARCAE 6. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,049 km (651 mi). Apogee: 1,167 km (725 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1983-056A. USAF Sat Cat: 14112. Ocean surveillance; aka White Cloud type spacecraft; Navy Ocean Surveillance Satellite; PARCAE. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• GB1 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,049 km (651 mi). Apogee: 1,167 km (725 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1983-056C. USAF Sat Cat: 14143. Deployed from NOSS 5. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• GB2 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,049 km (651 mi). Apogee: 1,167 km (725 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1983-056D. USAF Sat Cat: 14144. Deployed from NOSS 5. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• GB3 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,049 km (651 mi). Apogee: 1,166 km (724 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1983-056G. USAF Sat Cat: 14180. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• NOSS 6 Nation: USA. Payload: PARCAE 7. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,052 km (653 mi). Apogee: 1,172 km (728 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-012A. USAF Sat Cat: 14690. Ocean surveillance; aka White Cloud type spacecraft; Navy Ocean Surveillance Satellite; PARCAE. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• JD1 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,052 km (653 mi). Apogee: 1,172 km (728 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-012C. USAF Sat Cat: 14728. Deployed from NOSS 6. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• JD2 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,052 km (653 mi). Apogee: 1,172 km (728 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-012D. USAF Sat Cat: 14729. Deployed from NOSS 6. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• JD3 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,052 km (653 mi). Apogee: 1,172 km (728 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.00 min. COSPAR: 1984-012F. USAF Sat Cat: 14795. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• USA 15 Nation: USA. Payload: PARCAE 8. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,049 km (651 mi). Apogee: 1,166 km (724 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1986-014A. USAF Sat Cat: 16591. Ocean surveillance; aka White Cloud type spacecraft; Navy Ocean Surveillance Satellite; PARCAE. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• USA 16 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,055 km (655 mi). Apogee: 1,161 km (721 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1986-014E. USAF Sat Cat: 16624. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• USA 17 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,055 km (655 mi). Apogee: 1,165 km (723 mi). Inclination: 63.00 deg. Period: 107.40 min. COSPAR: 1986-014F. USAF Sat Cat: 16625. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• USA 18 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 817 km (508 mi). Apogee: 1,407 km (874 mi). Inclination: 63.41 deg. Period: 107.44 min. COSPAR: 1986-014H. USAF Sat Cat: 16631. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• USA 22 Nation: USA. Payload: PARCAE 9. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,045 km (649 mi). Apogee: 1,179 km (732 mi). Inclination: 62.90 deg. Period: 107.80 min. COSPAR: 1987-043A. USAF Sat Cat: 17997. Ocean surveillance; aka White Cloud type spacecraft; Navy Ocean Surveillance Satellite; PARCAE. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 172, 278.

• LIPS 3 Nation: USA. Payload: LIPS 3. Spacecraft: LIPS. Agency: USN. Perigee: 899 km (558 mi). Apogee: 1,316 km (817 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.42 min. COSPAR: 1987-043C. USAF Sat Cat: 18007. References: 279.

• USA 23 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,039 km (645 mi). Apogee: 1,170 km (720 mi). Inclination: 63.40 deg. Period: 107.30 min. COSPAR: 1987-043E. USAF Sat Cat: 18009. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• USA 24 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,046 km (649 mi). Apogee: 1,184 km (735 mi). Inclination: 63.20 deg. Period: 107.90 min. COSPAR: 1987-043F. USAF Sat Cat: 18010. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• USA 25 Nation: USA. Payload: SSU. Class: Sigint. Type: Naval reconnaisance. Spacecraft: NOSS-Subsat. Agency: USN. Perigee: 1,035 km (643 mi). Apogee: 1,178 km (731 mi). Inclination: 62.60 deg. Period: 107.60 min. COSPAR: 1987-043H. USAF Sat Cat: 18025. References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 278.

• McDowell, Jonathan, Jonathan's Space Home Page, Harvard University, 1997-present. Jonathan McDowell's complete on-line listing of all objects orbited and over 20,000 rocket launches Accessed at: http://www.planet4589.org/jsr.html.

• Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991 (succeeded by 2000 edition). ISBN: 1563473534. Superseded by the later editions. More at amazon.com...

• Wilson, Andrew, editor,, Jane's/Interavia Space Directory, Jane's Information Group, Coulsdon, Surrey, 1992 et al. ISBN: 0710618107. The most comprehensive source of information for current space projects. Too expensive for human beings and most libraries. More at amazon.com...

• Lockheed Martin Coporation, Atlas Family Fact Sheets, September 1998.. Accessed at: http://www.lmco.com/ILS/txtmain/ils_lsysinfo.htm.

• Walker, Chuck, with Powell, Joel, Atlas - The Ultimate Weapon, Apogee Books, Canada, 2005. ISBN: 1894959183. Another excellent Apogee Book, the only in-depth account of the design, development, and production of the rocket that was America's first ICBM, pioneered US spaceflight, and continued to take payloads into orbit into the next millenium. More at amazon.com...