Atlas B before the launch of SCORE (USAF) | |
Function | Prototype ICBM Expendable launch system |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Convair |
Country of origin | United States |
Launch history | |
Status | Retired |
Launch sites | LC-11, LC-13 & LC-14, CCAFS |
Total launches | 10 |
Successes | 6 |
Failures | 4 |
First flight | 19 July 1958 |
Last flight | 4 February 1959 |
The SM-65B Atlas, or Atlas B, also designated X-12[1] was a prototype of the Atlas missile. First flown on 19 July 1958, the Atlas B was the first version of the Atlas rocket to use the stage and a half design.
Ten flights were made. Nine of these were sub-orbital test flights of the Atlas as an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, with five successful missions and four failures. The seventh flight, launched on 18 December 1958, was used to place the SCORE satellite into low Earth orbit, the first orbital launch conducted by an Atlas rocket.
All Atlas-B launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, at Launch Complexes 11, 13 and 14.[1]
Launch history[]
Date | Time (GMT) | Pad | Serial | Apogee | Outcome | Remarks |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1958-07-19 | 17:36 | LC-11 | 3B | 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) | Failure.[citation needed] | A spilled gyroscope caused loss of control shortly after liftoff and missile self-destruction at T+30 seconds. Flight considered a "partial success" because the propulsion system functioned normally until vehicle breakup. |
1958-08-02 | 22:16 | LC-13 | 4B | 900 kilometres (560 mi) | Success | |
1958-08-29 | 04:30 | LC-11 | 5B | 900 kilometres (560 mi) | Success | |
1958-09-14 | 05:24 | LC-14 | 8B | 900 kilometres (560 mi) | Success | |
1958-09-18 | 21:27 | LC-13 | 6B | 100 kilometres (62 mi) | Failure. | Turbopump malfunction at T+60 seconds.[citation needed] |
1958-11-18 | 04:00 | LC-11 | 9B | 800 kilometres (500 mi) | Partial failure. | Excessive fuel consumption by the sustainer engine led to premature cutoff.[citation needed] |
1958-11-29 | 02:27 | LC-14 | 12B | 900 kilometres (560 mi) | Success | First full-range test flight |
1958-12-18 | 22:02 | LC-11 | 10B | N/A | Success | Placed SCORE satellite into 185 km x 1,484 km x 32.3° orbit. First use of an Atlas for space launches. Vehicle 10B was modified for this purpose with special elongated propellant tanks. |
1959-01-16 | 04:00 | LC-14 | 13B | 100 kilometres (62 mi) | Failure. | Loss of thrust at T+100 seconds due to overheating in the boattail section. Also used elongated propellant tanks. |
1959-02-04 | 08:01 | LC-11 | 11B | 900 kilometres (560 mi) | Success[citation needed] |
See also[]
References[]
The original article can be found at SM-65B Atlas and the edit history here.