[FPSPACE] Atlas 4 ??

[Stefan Barensky]

Le 24/08/04 7:18, « David M Harland » <dave.harland at ntlworld.com> a écrit :

> Does anyone know why the numeric on the Atlas launch vehicle series
> jumps from Atlas III to Atlas V, that is what happened to the fourth
> one????
> 
> 
> dmh
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Officially, the Atlas V was presented as a successor to both the Atlas III
(hence the "Atlas") and the Titan IV (hence the "V").

But I remember LockMart officials to have always been quite uncomfortable
with this issue when asked if it was an attempt to outnumber the Delta IV or
to compete face to face with the Ariane V...

Moreover, the number "4" is bad omen for several fareastern cultures (Korea,
Japan) which are potential good markets for the future (but this might not
be really relevant as both Korean and Japanese satellites flew regularly on
Ariane IV).

--

Stefan Barensky
Senior Space Editor
http://www.space-launcher.com