SP-4012 NASA HISTORICAL DATA BOOK: VOLUME III
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS 1969-1978
 

Table 1-20. Atlas-Centaur Characteristics.

 

.

1st Stage Atlas SLV-3D

2d Stage Centaur D-IA

Optional 3d Stage TE-M-364-4

Total

.

Height (m):

22.9

14.6 (with payload fairing)

(included with payload)

39.8

Diameter (m):

3.05

3.05

-

-

Launch weight (kg):

128 736

17 674

-

146 914

Propulsion system:

MA-5

-

-

-

Powerplant:

2 booster engines

Pratt & Whitney (2)

Thiokol

-

1 sustainer engine

RL-10A 3-3

TE-M-364 4

-

2 vernier engines

-

-

-

Thrust (newtons):

1 919 300

131 200

65 866

2 050 500 (2 116 366 with third stage)

Burn time (sec.):

230

450 (max.)

44

-

Propellant:

LOX/RP-1

LOX/LH2

solid

-

Payload capacity:

4500 kg to earth orbit/1800 to synchronous orbit

900 kg to Venus or Mars

Origin:

Air Force missile system

NASA-General Dynamics design

NASA-Thiokol design

-

.

Contractors:

Rocketdyne Div., Rockwell Corp.: propulsion system Convair Div.,

General Dynamics: prime

Pratt & Whitney: engines Convair Div.,General Dynamics: prime

Thiokol Corp.: engine McDonnell Douglas Astronautics Co. airframe

Program manager:

F. Robert Schmidt, NASA Hq.

Project managers:

Daniel J. Schramo, Henry O. Slone, Lawrence J. Ross, Lewis Research Center

How utilized:

Mariner, Pioneer, Intelsat, Pioneer Venus, ATS, OAO, Comstar, HEAO, Fltsatcom

Remarks:

The Atlas and the Centaur stages were both upgraded during NASA's second 10 years. The Atlas SLV-3D model was introduced in 1973, as was the Centaur D-IA. The optional third stage motor was used with the Atlas-Centaur combination four times: Pioneer 10, Pioneer 11, Intelsat IV F-7, and Mariner 10. It was attached to the aft of the spacecraft.

See also:

Volume 2.


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