Atlas E

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Atlas E

Atlas E - Atlas E - COSPAR 1991-032

11,185 bytes. 102 x 496 pixels.

Family: Atlas. Country: USA. Status: Hardware.

Initial fully operational version of Atlas ICBM. Differed in guidance system from Atlas F. Deployed as missiles from 1960 to 1966. After retirement, the ICBM's were refurbished and used over twenty years as space launch vehicles.

Specifications

Launches: 51. Failures: 16. Success Rate: 68.63% pct. First Launch Date: 29 November 1960. Last Launch Date: 24 March 1995. LEO Payload: 820 kg. to: 185 km Orbit. at: 90.0 degrees. Liftoff Thrust: 174,760 kgf. Total Mass: 121,000 kg. Core Diameter: 3.1 m. Total Length: 28.1 m. Launch Price $: 50.00 million. in 1994 price dollars. Flyaway Unit Cost $: 11.00 million. in 1985 unit dollars.

Stage Number: 0. 1 x Atlas MA-3 Gross Mass: 3,174 kg. Empty Mass: 3,174 kg. Thrust (vac): 167,740 kgf. Isp: 290 sec. Burn time: 120 sec. Isp(sl): 256 sec. Diameter: 4.9 m. Span: 4.9 m. Length: 0.0 m. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene No Engines: 2. LR-89-5
Stage Number: 1. 1 x Atlas E/F Gross Mass: 117,826 kg. Empty Mass: 4,926 kg. Thrust (vac): 39,400 kgf. Isp: 316 sec. Burn time: 309 sec. Isp(sl): 214 sec. Diameter: 3.1 m. Span: 4.9 m. Length: 20.1 m. Propellants: Lox/Kerosene No Engines: 1. LR-105-5

Atlas E Chronology

1960 Nov 29 - LV Configuration: Atlas 4E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13. FAILURE: Hydraulics Failure.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Jan 24 - LV Configuration: Atlas 8E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13. FAILURE: Flight Control Failure.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Feb 24 - LV Configuration: Atlas 9E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Mar 13 - LV Configuration: Atlas 13E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13. FAILURE: Propellant Utilization System Failure.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Mar 24 - LV Configuration: Atlas 16E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13. FAILURE: Electrical Failure.

Atlas Development Test

1961 May 12 - LV Configuration: Atlas 12E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC11.

Atlas Development Test

1961 May 26 - LV Configuration: Atlas 18E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Jun 7 - LV Configuration: Atlas 27E. Launch Site: Vandenberg . FAILURE: Failure.

Atlas operational test.

1961 Jun 22 - LV Configuration: Atlas 17E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC11. FAILURE: Flight Control Failure.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Jul 6 - LV Configuration: Atlas 22E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Jul 31 - LV Configuration: Atlas 21E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC11.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Sep 8 - LV Configuration: Atlas 26E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13. FAILURE: Propulsion.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Oct 2 - LV Configuration: Atlas 25E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC11.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Dec 1 - LV Configuration: Atlas 35E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13.

Atlas Development Test

1961 Dec 19 - LV Configuration: Atlas 36E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13.

Atlas Development Test

1962 Feb 13 - LV Configuration: Atlas 40E. Launch Site: Cape Canaveral . Launch Complex: LC13.

Atlas Development Test
Last Atlas E R&D flight.

1962 Feb 28 - LV Configuration: Atlas 66E. Launch Site: Vandenberg . FAILURE: Failure.

Atlas operational test.

1962 Mar 23 - Launch Site: Vandenberg .

Atlas operational test witnessed by Kennedy.
President John F. Kennedy visited Vandenberg AFB and witnessed the launch of Atlas 134D.

1962 Jul 13 - LV Configuration: Atlas 67E. Launch Site: Vandenberg . FAILURE: Failure.

Atlas operational test.

1962 Dec 18 - LV Configuration: Atlas 64E. Launch Site: Vandenberg . FAILURE: Failure.

Atlas operational test.

1963 Apr 24 - LV Configuration: Atlas 65E. Launch Site: Vandenberg .

Atlas operational test.

1963 Jun 4 - LV Configuration: Atlas 62E. Launch Site: Vandenberg .

Atlas operational test.

1963 Jul 3 - LV Configuration: Atlas 69E. Launch Site: Vandenberg .

Atlas operational test.

1963 Jul 26 - LV Configuration: Atlas 24E. Launch Site: Vandenberg . FAILURE: Failure.

Atlas operational test.

1963 Jul 30 - LV Configuration: Atlas 70E. Launch Site: Vandenberg .

Atlas operational test.

1963 Aug 24 - LV Configuration: Atlas 72E. Launch Site: Vandenberg .

Atlas operational test.

1963 Sep 25 - LV Configuration: Atlas 71E. Launch Site: Vandenberg . FAILURE: Failure.

Atlas operational test.

1964 Feb 12 - LV Configuration: Atlas 48E. Launch Site: Vandenberg . FAILURE: Failure.

Atlas operational test.

1964 Aug 27 - LV Configuration: Atlas 57E. Launch Site: Vandenberg . FAILURE: Failure.

Atlas operational test.

1980 Dec 9 - - 07:18 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas E s/n 68E. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W. FAILURE: Failure.

SSU Spacecraft: NOSS. Payload: SSU.
NOSS Spacecraft: NOSS. Payload: PARCAE 4.
Ocean surveillance; aka White Cloud type spacecraft; Navy Ocean Surveillance Satellite; PARCAE.
LIPS 1 Spacecraft: LIPS. Payload: LIPS 1.
SSU Spacecraft: NOSS. Payload: SSU.
SSU Spacecraft: NOSS. Payload: SSU.
Atlas E
Credit: US Air Force. 15,931 bytes. 203 x 446 pixels.

1981 Dec 19 - - 01:10 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 76E / SGS-1. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3E. FAILURE: Failure.

Navstar 7 Spacecraft: GPS Block 1. Payload: Navstar SVN 7. Mass: 163 kg.
Global Positioning System.

1982 Dec 21 - - 02:38 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 60E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

AMS 5 Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Payload: DMSP S-6. Mass: 750 kg.
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

1983 Mar 28 - - 15:52 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 73E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

NOAA 8 Spacecraft: Advanced Tiros N. Payload: NOAA E. Mass: 3,775 kg.
Carried search and rescue package. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1983 Jul 14 - - 10:21 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 75E / SGS-2. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

Navstar 8 (GPS) Spacecraft: GPS Block 1. Payload: Navstar SVN 8. Mass: 163 kg.
Global Positioning System. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1983 Nov 18 - - 06:32 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 58E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

DMSP B5D2-2 Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Payload: DMSP S-7. Mass: 750 kg.
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

1984 Jun 13 - - 11:31 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 42E / SGS-2. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

Navstar 9 (GPS) Spacecraft: GPS Block 1. Payload: Navstar SVN 9. Mass: 433 kg.
GPS. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1984 Sep 8 - - 21:41 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 14E / SGS-2. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

Navstar 10 (GPS) Spacecraft: GPS Block 1. Payload: Navstar SVN 10. Mass: 770 kg.
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1984 Dec 12 - - 10:48 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 39E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

NOAA 9 Spacecraft: Advanced Tiros N. Payload: NOAA F. Mass: 1,712 kg.
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1985 Mar 13 - - 01:55 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 41E / OIS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

Geosat Spacecraft: Geosat. Mass: 635 kg.
Ocean sea height mapping. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1985 Oct 9 - - 02:52 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 55E / SGS-2. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

Navstar 11 (GPS) Spacecraft: GPS Block 1. Payload: Navstar SVN 11. Mass: 163 kg.
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1986 Sep 17 - - 15:50 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 52E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

NOAA 10 Spacecraft: Advanced Tiros N. Payload: NOAA G. Mass: 1,700 kg.
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1987 Jun 20 - - 02:38 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 59E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

USA 26 Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Payload: DMSP S-9/Star 37S S/N 15019. Mass: 750 kg.
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

1988 Feb 3 - - 06:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 54E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

USA 29 Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Payload: DMSP S-8/Star 37S S/N 15021. Mass: 750 kg.
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

1988 Sep 24 - - 10:04 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 63E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

NOAA 11 Spacecraft: Advanced Tiros N. Payload: NOAA H. Mass: 1,712 kg.
Carried search & rescue package. Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1990 Apr 11 - - 16:00 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 28E / Altair-3. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

USA 56 Spacecraft: POGS. Payload: POGS & SSR.
USA 58 Spacecraft: POGS. Payload: SCE.
USA 57 Spacecraft: POGS. Payload: TEX.
PDD Spacecraft: POGS. Payload: Payload Deployment Device.

1990 Dec 1 - - 16:04 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 61E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

USA 68 Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Payload: DMSP S-10. Mass: 750 kg.
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program; broken nozzle prevented from reaching desired orbit.

1991 May 14 - - 20:52 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 50E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

NOAA 12 Spacecraft: Tiros N. Payload: NOAA D. Mass: 1,416 kg.
Spacecraft engaged in research and exploration of the upper atmosphere or outer space (US Cat B).

1991 Nov 28 - - 13:26 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 53E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

USA 73 Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Payload: DMSP S-12/Star 37S S/N 15029. Mass: 830 kg.
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

1993 Aug 9 - - 10:02 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 34E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

NOAA 13 Spacecraft: Advanced Tiros N. Payload: NOAA I. Mass: 1,712 kg.
Spacecraft engaged in practical applications and uses of space technology such as weather or communication (US Cat C).

1994 Aug 29 - - 16:48 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

DMSP 23545 Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Payload: DMSP 23545/Star 37S S/N 15030. Mass: 830 kg.
Defense Meteorological Satellite Program.

1994 Dec 30 - - 10:02 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

NOAA 14 Spacecraft: Advanced Tiros N. Payload: NOAA K. Mass: 1,712 kg.

1995 Mar 24 - - 14:09 GMT. LV Configuration: Atlas s/n 45E / Star-37S-ISS. Launch Site: Vandenberg . Launch Complex: SLC3W.

DMSP 24547 Spacecraft: DMSP Block 5D-2. Payload: DMSP 24547/Star 37S. Mass: 750 kg.

Bibliography:

42 - Isakowitz, Steven J,, International Reference to Space Launch Systems Second Edition, AIAA, Washington DC, 1991.
61 - Wilson, Andrew, editor,, Jane's/Interavia Space Directory, Jane's Information Group, Coulsdon, Surrey, 1992 et al.

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Last update 12 March 2001.
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