Atlas SLV-3
 Launch of the last Atlas SLV-3, with a Burner upper stage |
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| Function | Expendable launch system Sounding rocket |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Convair General Dynamics |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | SLC-3E, Vandenberg LC-14, Cape Canaveral |
| Total launches | 5 |
| Successes | 3 |
| Failures | 2 |
| First flight | 1 June 1966 |
| Last flight | 16 August 1968 |
The Atlas SLV-3, or SLV-3 Atlas was an American expendable launch system derived from the SM-65 Atlas missile. It was a member of the Atlas family of rockets, and was used for three suborbital tests of X-23 Prime re-entry vehicles. Two orbital launches were also conducted, both of which failed.
The Atlas SLV-3 was a stage and a half rocket, built as a standardised replacement for earlier Atlas launch systems, which had been derived from the various Atlas missiles.[1] A Burner upper stage was flown on the final flight to increase payload.[2]
It is most well known for launching the Augmented Target Docking Adapter (ATDA), a backup for the Gemini Agena Target Vehicle which was to be used by Gemini 9 after its GATV failed to reach orbit. The launch was conducted on 1 June 1966, and was the first flight of the Atlas SLV-3 as an independent vehicle. It was only discovered after Gemini 9 had rendezvoused with it that the launch had itself failed, as the payload fairing had not separated.[3]
The Atlas SLV-3 was also used as the first stage of several Atlas-Agena and Atlas-Centaur variants.
References [edit]
- ^ Encyclopedia Astronautica - Atlas
- ^ Gunter's Space Page - Atlas-SLV3 Burner-2
- ^ "NSSDC: Gemini 9 Target B". NASA.gov. Retrieved March 3, 2011.
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