Convair
SM-65D Atlas
D

Retired
Overview
/01The SM-65D Atlas, or Atlas D, was the first operational version of the U.S. Atlas missile. Atlas D was first used as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to deliver a nuclear weapon payload on a suborbital trajectory. It was later developed as a launch vehicle to carry a payload to low Earth orbit on its own, and later to geosynchronous orbit, to the Moon, Venus, or Mars with the Agena or Centaur upper stage.
Manufacturer
Convair
Variant
D
Alias
N/A
Maiden Flight
April 14, 1959
Technical Specifications
/0225.15 m
Length
3 m
Diameter
0 t
Launch Mass
1880 kN
Liftoff Thrust
1400 kg
LEO Capacity
—
GTO Capacity
Launch Record
/039
Total Launches
6
Successful
3
Failed
66.7%
Success Rate
0
Attempted Landings
0
Successful Landings
0
Failed Landings
0
Consecutive Successes