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Atlas H

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Atlas H
Launch of the last Atlas H with NOSS-9.
FunctionExpendable launch system
ManufacturerConvair
General Dynamics
Country of originUnited States
Launch history
StatusRetired
Launch sitesSLC-3E, Vandenberg
Total launches5
Success(es)5
First flight9 February 1983
Last flight15 May 1987
Boosters
No. boosters1
Powered by2 LR-89-7
Total thrust1,901.6 kN (427,500 lbf)
Specific impulse293.4 s
Burn time155 seconds
PropellantRP-1/LOX
First stage
Powered by1 LR-105-7
Maximum thrust386.4 kN (86,900 lbf)
Atlas D
Specific impulse316 s
Burn time266 seconds
PropellantRP-1/LOX

The Atlas H was an American expendable launch system derived from the SM-65 Atlas missile.[1] It was a member of the Atlas family of rockets, and was used to launch five clusters of NOSS satellites for the US National Reconnaissance Office.[1] Two flights also carried LiPS satellites, as secondary payloads for the United States Naval Research Laboratory.[1]

The Atlas H was a stage and a half rocket, using the enhanced Atlas rocket designed for use as the first stage of the Atlas G rocket,[2] which differed from the Atlas H in having a Centaur upper stage. This stage was later reused as the first stage of the Atlas I. In practice, an MSD upper stage was flown on all five launches.[3]

Atlas H could put a payload of 3,630 kg (8,000 lb) into low Earth orbit, or a payload of 2,255 kg (4,971 lb) into a geostationary transfer orbit.[1]

Launches

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The Atlas H was launched five times from Vandenberg SLC3E:[1]

Date Mission Mass (kg) Apogee (km) Perigee (km) Inclination º
1983 February 9 NOSS 4 - PARCAE 5 / OPS 0252 700 1,186 1,063 63.40
SSB - SSU 700 1,489 733 63.40
SSD (NOSS 4) - NOSS-Subsat 4-4 1,419 796 63.40
SSC - SSU 1,173 1,043 63.50
SSA - SSU 1,166 1,051 63.40
SSA (NOSS 4) - NOSS-Subsat 4-1 / OPS 0252 DEB 1,164 1,051 63.50
LIPS 2 1,399 822 63.30
1983 June 9 NOSS 5 - PARCAE 6 / OPS 6432 700 1,167 1,049 63.40
GB1 - SSU 1,167 1,049 63.40
GB3 - SSU 1,166 1,049 63.40
GB2 - SSU 1,167 1,049 63.40
1984 February 5 NOSS 6 - PARCAE 7 / OPS 8737 700 1,172 1,052 63.40
JD1 - SSU 1,172 1,052 63.40
JD2 - SSU 1,172 1,052 63.40
JD3 - SSU 1,172 1,052 63.40
1986 February 9 USA 15 - PARCAE 8 700 1,166 1,049 63.00
USA 18 - SSU 1,407 817 63.41
USA 16 - SSU 1,161 1,055 63.00
USA 17 - SSU 1,165 1,055 63.00
1987 May 15 USA 22 - PARCAE 9 700 1,179 1,045 62.90
LIPS 3 1,316 899 63.40
USA 25 - SSU 1,178 1,035 62.60
USA 24 - SSU 1,184 1,046 63.20
USA 23 - SSU 1,170 1,039 63.40


References

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  1. ^ a b c d e "Atlas H". www.astronautix.com. Retrieved 2023-10-09.
  2. ^ Encyclopedia Astronautica - Atlas
  3. ^ Gunter's Space Page - Atlas-H MSD