Atlas SLV

Standardized Atlas booster with no or small solid upper stage.

Manufacturer: Convair. Launches: 4. Success Rate: 100.00%. First Launch Date: 1966-06-01. Last Launch Date: 1967-04-20. Launch data is: complete. LEO Payload: 800 kg (1,760 lb). to: 300 km Orbit. at: 28.00 degrees. Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi). Associated Spacecraft: Atlas Target Docking Adapter. Liftoff Thrust: 1,650.000 kN (370,930 lbf). Total Mass: 120,000 kg (260,000 lb). Total Length: 21.00 m (68.00 ft).

• Stage Number: 0. 1 x Stage: Atlas MA-3. Gross Mass: 3,174 kg (6,997 lb). Empty Mass: 3,174 kg (6,997 lb). Thrust (vac): 1,644.960 kN (369,802 lbf). Isp: 290 sec. Burn time: 120 sec. Isp(sl): 256 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-89-5.

• Stage Number: 1. 1 x Stage: Atlas Agena SLV-3. Gross Mass: 117,026 kg (257,998 lb). Empty Mass: 2,326 kg (5,127 lb). Thrust (vac): 386.300 kN (86,844 lbf). Isp: 316 sec. Burn time: 265 sec. Isp(sl): 220 sec. Diameter: 3.05 m (10.00 ft). Span: 4.90 m (16.00 ft). Length: 20.67 m (67.81 ft). Propellants: Lox/Kerosene. No Engines: 1. Engine: LR-105-5. Status: Out of production.

1966 June 1 - 15:00 GMT - Launch Site: Cape Canaveral. Launch Complex: LC14. Launch Pad: LC14. Launch Vehicle: SLV-3 Atlas. Model: Atlas SLV-3. LV Configuration: Atlas SLV-3 5304.

• Gemini 9 ATDA Nation: USA. Program: Gemini. Payload: TDA 4. Mass: 794 kg (1,750 lb). Class: Manned. Type: Logistics. Spacecraft: Atlas Target Docking Adapter. Agency: NASA MSC. Perigee: 292 km (181 mi). Apogee: 296 km (183 mi). Inclination: 28.80 deg. Period: 90.40 min. COSPAR: 1966-046A. USAF Sat Cat: 2186. Decay Date: 1966-06-11. Flight: Gemini 9. The ATDA achieved a near-circular orbit (apogee 161.5, perigee 158.5 nautical miles). One hour and 40 minutes later, the scheduled launch of Gemini IX-A was postponed by a ground equipment failure which prevented the transfer of updating information from Cape Kennedy mission control center to the spacecraft computer. The mission was recycled for launch on June 3, following a prepared 48-hour recycle plan. Anomalous telemetry indicated some sort of problem with the target, but it was not until Gemini IX rendezvoused with it in orbit that it was seen that fairing separation had failed.References: 1, 2, 5, 6, 26, 278.

• Prime 1 Nation: USA. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Prime. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi). Decay Date: 1966-12-21. The first test of the X-23A SV-5D lifting body re-entry shape. It was a zero cross-range suborbital flight, with recovery 6935 km downrange. The ballute deployed at 30.440 m, followed by the main parachute at 13,700 m, and the vehicle was descending within 275 m of the target point. Nevertheless the air-snatch was unsuccessful, and the vehicle sank. However 90% of the planned telemetry was successfully transmitted by radio.References: 0.

• Prime 2 Nation: USA. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Prime. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi). Decay Date: 1967-03-05. The X-23A SV-5D lifting body vehicle demonstrated a 1055 km cross-range manoeuvre, but again air snatch failed. References: 0.

• Prime 3 Nation: USA. Class: Manned. Type: Spaceplane. Spacecraft: Prime. Agency: USAF AFSC. Apogee: 1,500 km (900 mi). Decay Date: 1967-04-19. The full design 1145 km cross range was demonstrated, and the X-23A SV-5D lifting body vehicle was successfully snatched at 3700 m altitude, 8 km from the target point. With this success the rest of the project was cancelled, and the two remaining unflown X-22A's were sent to the USAF Museum at Wright Patterson Air Force Base.References: 0.

• 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.

• Koelle, Heinz Hermann,, Handbook of Astronautical Engineering, McGraw-Hill,New York, 1961. The only such comprehensive handbook ever produced, and at the dawn of the space age.