Convair

SM-65D Atlas

D

SM-65D Atlas
Retired

Overview

/01

The 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

/02
25.15 m

Length

3 m

Diameter

0 t

Launch Mass

1880 kN

Liftoff Thrust

1400 kg

LEO Capacity

GTO Capacity

Launch Record

/03
9

Total Launches

6

Successful

3

Failed

66.7%

Success Rate

0

Attempted Landings

0

Successful Landings

0

Failed Landings

0

Consecutive Successes

← Back to Launchers