Atlas-Centaur
Description
The Atlas-Centaur was a US expendable launch vehicle derived from the SM-65 Atlas D missile. Convair, the manufacturer of the Atlas, developed the Centaur upper stage specifically for that booster, sharing its pressure stabilized tank structure. Centaur was the first rocket stage to utilize liquid hydrogen (LH2) and liquid oxygen (LOX) as propellants. Despite high performance, LH2 had to be chilled at extremely low temperatures (lower than LOX) and its low density meant that large fuel tanks were needed.
Missions
68
Success Rate
83.8%
Successes
55
Failures
9
Success Streak
1
Partial Failures
4
Previous
September 25, 1989
FLTSATCOM-8
Atlas-G Centaur-D1AR | General Dynamics
Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA
March 26, 1987
FLTSATCOM-6
Atlas-G Centaur-D1AR | General Dynamics
Cape Canaveral SFS, Florida, USA
Configurations
Retired
Atlas-SLV3D Centaur-D1AR
Active 1975 to 1983
Stages
2
Retired
Atlas-SLV3D Centaur-D1A
Active 1973 to 1975
Stages
2
Retired
Atlas-SLV3C Centaur-D
Active 1967 to 1972
Stages
2
Retired
Atlas-LV3C Centaur-D
Active 1965 to 1967
Stages
2
Retired
Atlas-LV3C Centaur-C
Active 1964 to 1965
Stages
2
