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Titan IIIA

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Launch of the first Titan IIIA
FunctionPrototype expendable launch system
ManufacturerMartin Marietta
Country of origin United States
Size
Height42 metres (138 ft)
Diameter3.05 metres (10.0 ft)
Mass161,730 kilograms (356,550 lb)
Stages3
Capacity
Payload to LEO
Mass3,100 kilograms (6,800 lb)
Associated rockets
FamilyTitan
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesLC-20, Cape Canaveral
Total launches4
Success(es)3
Failure(s)1
First flight1 September 1964
Last flight6 May 1965
First stage
Powered by2 LR87-11
Maximum thrust2,340 kilonewtons (530,000 lbf)
Specific impulse302 sec
Burn time147 seconds
PropellantA-50/N2O4
Second stage
Powered by1 LR91-11
Maximum thrust454 kilonewtons (102,000 lbf)
Specific impulse316 sec
Burn time205 seconds
PropellantA-50/N2O4
Third stage – Transtage
Powered by2 AJ10-138
Maximum thrust71 kilonewtons (16,000 lbf)
Specific impulse311 sec
Burn time440 seconds
PropellantA-50/N2O4

The Titan IIIA or Titan 3A was an American expendable launch system, launched four times in 1964 and 1965,[1] to test the Transtage upper stage which was intended for use on the larger Titan IIIC. The Transtage was mounted atop two core stages derived from the Titan II. The Titan IIIA was also used as the core of the Titan IIIC.

The Titan IIIA made its maiden flight on 1 September 1964, but the Transtage failed to pressurise, resulting in a premature cutoff, and failure to reach orbit.[2] A second test on 10 December was successful. Two further launches occurred in 1965 with Lincoln Experimental Satellites, before the Titan IIIA was retired.

Launch history

Date/Time (GMT) S/N Payload Outcome Remarks
1 September 1964
15:00:06[3]
3A-2[1] N/A Failure Transtage test flight
Transtage failed to pressurise
10 December 1964
16:52:33[3]
3A-1[1] N/A Successful Transtage test flight
11 February 1965
15:19:05[3]
3A-3[1] LES-1 Successful
6 May 1965
15:00:03[3]
3A-4[1] LES-2/LCS-1 Successful

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Krebs, Gunter. "Titan-3A". Gunter's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  2. ^ Wade, Mark. "Titan". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-01-25.
  3. ^ a b c d McDowell, Jonathan. "Titan". Launch Vehicles Database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-01-25.

External links

Media related to Titan IIIA at Wikimedia Commons