Atlas is a family of US missiles and space launch vehicles that originated with the SM-65 Atlas. The Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) program was initiated in the late 1950s under the Convair Division of General Dynamics. [2]

The rocket family features a stretched Centaur stage (right) allowing increased performance over previous versions. The new Centaur second stage can have either one or two RL-10A-4-2 rocket engines, allowing performance to better match payload.

The Atlas family of rockets began their life in 1957 as the first successful Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM) launched by the United States, created by Lockheed Martin legacy company Convair’s design team.

The SM-65 Atlas was the first operational intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) developed by the United States and the first member of the Atlas rocket family. It was built for the U.S. Air Force by the Convair Division of General Dynamics at an …

Aug 3, 2016 · The Atlas rocket, originally developed as America's first ICBM, was the basis for most early American space exploration and was that country's most successful medium-lift commercial launch vehicle.

Atlas II was a member of the Atlas family of launch vehicles, which evolved from the successful Atlas missile program of the 1950s. The Atlas II was a direct evolution of the Atlas I, featuring longer first-stage tanks, higher-performing engines, and the option for …

Aug 26, 2024 · The Atlas rocket family has played a pivotal role in the history of the United States’ space program, evolving from its origins as a Cold War-era intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to a reliable and versatile launch vehicle that has carried countless payloads into Earth orbit and beyond.

Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with Boeing. Each Atlas V rocket uses a Russian-built RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen to power its first stage and an American-built RL10 engine ...

Atlas is a family of American missiles and space launch vehicles. The original Atlas missile was designed in the late 1950s and produced by the Convair Division of General Dynamics, [1] to be used as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM).

Mar 12, 2005 · Lockheed Martin designed the Atlas 5 family to incorporate various configurations, allowing each rocket and its specific payload to be paired together with just the right amount of power.