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'{{About|the rocket|the boat|Atlas V (boat)}} {{Launching/Atlas V (Canaveral)|type=rocket}}{{Launching/Atlas V (Vandenberg)|type=rocket}} {{Infobox rocket <!----Image (optional)----> |image = Atlas V(401) launches with LRO and LCROSS cropped.jpg |image_size = <!--Size of image (omit "px" suffix), optional, defaults to 270px--> |caption = Launch of an Atlas V 401 carrying the LRO and LCROSS <!----Core parameters (required)----> |name = <!--Name(s) of the rocket, optional, defaults to page title--> |function = [[Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle|EELV]]/Medium-heavy [[launch vehicle]] |manufacturer = [[United Launch Alliance]] |country-origin = [[United States]] <!----Costs (optional)----> |pcost = <!--project cost, optional--> |cpl = <!--cost per launch, optional--> |alt-cpl = <!--cost in alternative currency, optional--> <!----Dimensions (required)----> |height = {{convert|58.3|m|ft|sp=us}} |diameter = {{convert|3.81|m|ft|sp=us}} |width = <!--width if not axisymmetric, use {{convert}}, optional--> |mass = {{convert|334,500|kg|lb}} |stages = 2 <!----Payloads (optional)----> |capacities = <!--insert one of the following templates for each payload:--> {{Infobox rocket/payload |location = [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |kilos = {{convert|9,800–18,810|kg}} }} {{Infobox rocket/payload |location = [[Geostationary transfer orbit|GTO]] |kilos = {{convert|4,750–8,900|kg}} }} <!----Associated rockets (optional)----> |family = <!--rocket family, optional--> |derivatives = |comparable = [[Delta IV]] <!----Launch history (required)----> |status = Active |sites = [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|Cape Canaveral]] [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]]<br/>[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|Vandenberg]] [[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |launches = 62<br/>('''401:''' 32, '''411:''' 3, '''421:''' 5, '''431:''' 2)<br/>('''501:''' 6, '''521:''' 2, '''531:''' 3, '''541:''' 3, '''551:''' 6) |success = 61<br/>('''401:''' 31, '''411:''' 3, '''421:''' 5, '''431:''' 2)<br/>('''501:''' 6, '''521:''' 2, '''531:''' 3, '''541:''' 3, '''551:''' 6) |fail = <!--total failed launches, optional--> |partial = 1 ('''401''')<ref>[http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau_det/atlas-5-401.htm Gunter's Space Page – Atlas V (401)]. Space.skyrocket.de. Retrieved on 2011-11-19. {{WebCite|url=http://www.webcitation.org/6GHqDWL67|date =2013-05-01}}</ref> |other_outcome = <!--number of launches with unknown outcomes (or in progress), optional--> |first = '''401:''' 21 August 2002<br/>'''411:''' 20 April 2006<br/>'''421:''' 10 October 2007<br/>'''431:''' 11 March 2005<br/>'''501:''' 22 April 2010<br/>'''521:''' 17 July 2003<br/>'''531:''' 14 August 2010<br/>'''541:''' 26 November 2011<br/>'''551:''' 19 January 2006 |last = <!--date of final flight, optional--> |only = <!--launch date if only one was launched, optional--> |payloads = [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]]<br/>[[New Horizons]]<br/>[[Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter|LRO]]/[[Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite|LCROSS]]<br/>[[Solar Dynamics Observatory]]<br/>[[Boeing X-37]]B<br/> [[Juno (spacecraft)|Juno]]<br/> [[Mars Science Laboratory]] <!--Stages/boosters (optional)--> |stagedata = <!--insert one of the following templates for each stage:--> {{Infobox rocket/stage |type = booster |diff = <!--variant of rocket this is used on, optional--> |stageno = <!--position of stage in rocket, spelled out (eg. First, Second, etc), required--> |name = [[AJ-60A]]<ref name=aerojet-aj60a /> |number = 0 to 5 |length = {{convert|669|in|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}<ref name=aerojet-aj60a /> |diameter = {{convert|62|in|m|order=flip|abbr=on}}<ref name=aerojet-aj60a /> |empty = <!--empty mass of a single booster/stage in kilograms, use {{convert}}, optional--> |gross = {{convert|46697|kg|abbr=on}} |propmass = <!--propellant mass carried by a single booster/stage in kilograms, use {{convert}}, optional--> |solid = yes |thrust = {{convert|1688.4|kN|abbr=on}} |total = <!--total thrust for all boosters in kN, use {{convert}}, optional--> |SI = {{convert|279.3|isp}} |burntime = 94&nbsp;seconds |fuel = [[HTPB]] }} {{Infobox rocket/stage |type = booster |diff = Heavy, cancelled |stageno = <!--position of stage in rocket, spelled out (eg. First, Second, etc), required--> |name = Atlas [[Common Core Booster|CCB]] |number = 2 |length = {{convert|32.46|m|abbr=on}} |diameter = {{convert|3.81|m|abbr=on}} |empty = {{convert|23648|kg|abbr=on}} |gross = <!--gross (fuelled) mass of a single booster/stage, use {{convert}}, optional--> |propmass = {{convert|286795|kg|abbr=on}} |engines = 1 [[RD-180]] |thrust = {{convert|3827|kN|abbr=on}} (SL)<br />{{convert|4,152|kN|abbr=on}} (Vac) |total = <!--total thrust for all boosters in kN, use {{convert}}, optional--> |SI = {{convert|311.3|isp}} (SL)<br />{{convert|337.8|isp}} (Vac) |burntime = 253&nbsp;seconds |fuel = [[RP-1]]/[[LOX]] }} {{Infobox rocket/stage |type = stage |stageno = First |name = Atlas [[Common Core Booster|CCB]] |length = {{convert|32.46|m|abbr=on}} |diameter = {{convert|3.81|m|abbr=on}} |empty = {{convert|21054|kg|abbr=on}} |gross = <!--gross (fuelled) mass of a single booster/stage, use {{convert}}, optional--> |propmass = {{convert|284089|kg|abbr=on}} |engines = 1 [[RD-180]] |thrust = {{convert|3827|kN|abbr=on}} (SL)<br />{{convert|4,152|kN|abbr=on}} (Vac) |SI = {{convert|311.3|isp}} (SL)<br />{{convert|337.8|isp}} (Vac) |burntime = 253&nbsp;seconds |fuel = [[RP-1]]/[[LOX]] }} {{Infobox rocket/stage |type = stage |diff = <!--variant of rocket this is used on, optional--> |stageno = Second |name = [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]] |length = {{convert|12.68|m|abbr=on}} |diameter = {{convert|3.05|m|abbr=on}} |empty = {{convert|2316|kg|abbr=on}} |gross = <!--gross (fuelled) mass of a single booster/stage, use {{convert}}, optional--> |propmass = {{convert|20830|kg|abbr=on}} |engines = 1 [[RL10]]A or 1 [[RL10]]C |thrust = {{convert|99.2|kN|abbr=on}} (RL10A) |total = <!--total thrust for all boosters in kN, use {{convert}}, optional--> |SI = {{convert|450.5|isp}} (RL10A-4-2) |burntime = 842&nbsp;seconds (RL10A-4-2) |fuel = [[LH2]]/[[LOX]] }} }} '''Atlas V''' is an active [[expendable launch system]] in the [[Atlas (rocket family)|Atlas]] rocket family. Atlas V was formerly operated by [[Lockheed Martin]], and is now operated by the Lockheed Martin-[[Boeing]] joint venture [[United Launch Alliance]] (ULA). Each Atlas V [[rocket]] uses a [[Russia]]n-built [[RD-180]] engine burning [[kerosene]] and [[liquid oxygen]] to power its [[first stage (rocketry)|first stage]] and an American-built [[RL10]] engine burning [[liquid hydrogen]] and liquid oxygen to power its [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]] upper stage. The RD-180 engines are provided by [[RD Amross]], while [[Aerojet Rocketdyne]] provides both the RL10 engines and the [[strap-on booster]]s used in some configurations. The standard [[payload fairing]] sizes are 4 or 5&nbsp;meters in diameter and of various lengths. Fairings sizes as large as 7.2&nbsp;m in diameter and up to 32.3&nbsp;m in length have been considered.<ref name=atlasvuserguide2010>{{cite web|url=http://www.unitedlaunchalliance.com/site/docs/product_cards/guides/AtlasVUsersGuide2010.pdf|title=Atlas V Launch Services User’s Guide|date=March 2010|publisher=United Launch Alliance|accessdate=2011-12-04|location=Centennial, CO|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514051638/http://www.unitedlaunchalliance.com/site/docs/product_cards/guides/AtlasVUsersGuide2010.pdf|archivedate=2013-05-14}}</ref> The rocket is assembled in [[Decatur, Alabama]] and [[Harlingen, Texas]]. ==Vehicle description== The Atlas V was developed by Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services as part of the US Air Force [[Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle]] (EELV) program and made its inaugural flight on August 21, 2002. The vehicle operates out of [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|Space Launch Complex 41]] at [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]] and [[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|Space Launch Complex 3-E]] at [[Vandenberg Air Force Base]]. Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services continues to market the Atlas V to commercial customers worldwide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/1111_ss_cls.html |title=Lockheed Martin Ready For Launch Of Intelsat 14 Spacecraft |date=November 11, 2009 |publisher=[[Lockheed Martin]]|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20111217062420/http://www.lockheedmartin.com/news/press_releases/2009/1111_ss_cls.html |archivedate=2011-12-17 }}</ref> ===Atlas V first stage=== {{main|Common Core Booster}} The Atlas V first stage, the [[Common Core Booster]] (CCB), is 12.5&nbsp;ft (3.8&nbsp;m) in diameter and 106.6&nbsp;ft (32.5&nbsp;m) in length. It is powered by a single Russian [[RD-180]] main engine burning 627,105&nbsp;lb (284,450&nbsp;kg) of liquid oxygen and [[RP-1]]. The booster operates for about four minutes, providing about 4 [[newton (unit)|meganewtons]] (860,000&nbsp;lbf) of thrust.<ref name=AVMissionGuide/> Thrust can be augmented with up to five [[Aerojet]] strap-on [[solid rocket booster]]s, each providing an additional 1.27 meganewtons (285,500&nbsp;lbf) of thrust for 94&nbsp;seconds. The Atlas V is the newest member of the [[Atlas (rocket family)|Atlas]] family. Compared to the [[Atlas III]] vehicle, there are numerous changes. Compared to the [[Atlas II]], the first stage is a near-redesign. There was no Atlas IV. # The ''"1.5 staging"'' technique was dropped on the Atlas III, although the same RD-180 engine is used.<ref name=AVMissionGuide>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/product_cards/guides/AtlasVUsersGuide2010.pdf |title=Atlas V Launch Services User’s Guide |date=March 2010 |publisher=[[United Launch Alliance]]|page = 1-5 to 1–7|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130407233957/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/product_cards/guides/AtlasVUsersGuide2010.pdf|archivedate=2013-04-07}}</ref> The RD-180 features a dual-combustion chamber, dual-nozzle design and is fueled by a kerosene/liquid oxygen mixture. # The main-stage diameter increased from 10&nbsp;feet to 12.5&nbsp;feet. As with the Atlas III, the different mixture ratio of the engine called for a larger oxygen tank (relative to the fuel tank) compared to Western engines and stages.{{Citation needed|date=February 2011}} # The first stage tanks no longer use stainless steel [[monocoque]] "balloon" construction. The tanks are [[isogrid]] aluminum and are structurally stable when unpressurized.<ref name=AVMissionGuide/> # Use of aluminum, with a higher thermal conductivity than stainless steel, requires [[Thermal insulation|insulation]] for the liquid oxygen. The tanks are covered in a [[polyurethane]]-based layer. {{citation needed|date=December 2015}} # Accommodation points for parallel stages, both smaller solids and identical liquids, are built into first stage structures.<ref name=AVMissionGuide/> ===Centaur upper stage=== {{main|Centaur (rocket stage)}} The Centaur upper stage uses a pressure stabilized propellant tank design and [[Cryogenic fuel|cryogenic propellants]]. The Centaur stage for Atlas V is stretched 5.5&nbsp;ft (1.68&nbsp;m) relative to the Atlas IIAS Centaur and is powered by either one or two Aerojet Rocketdyne RL10A-4-2 engines, each engine developing a thrust of 99.2&nbsp;kN (22,300&nbsp;lbf). The [[inertial navigation unit]] (INU) located on the Centaur provides guidance and navigation for both the Atlas and Centaur, and controls both Atlas and Centaur tank pressures and propellant use. The Centaur engines are capable of multiple in-space starts, making possible insertion into [[Low Earth orbit|low Earth parking orbit]], followed by a coast period and then insertion into [[Geostationary transfer orbit|GTO]]. A subsequent third burn following a multi-hour coast can permit direct injection of payloads into [[Geostationary|geostationary orbit]].<ref name=afsp200903>{{cite web|url=http://www.afspc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3643 |title=Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle |date=March 2009|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427031225/http://www.afspc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=3643|archivedate=2014-04-27}}</ref> {{as of|2006}}, the Centaur vehicle had the highest proportion of burnable propellant relative to total mass of any modern hydrogen upper stage and hence can deliver substantial payloads to a high energy state.<ref name=aip2006>{{cite web|url=http://unitedlaunchalliance.com/site/docs/publications/CentaurApplicationtoRoboticandCrewedLunarLanderEvolution.pdf |title=Centaur Application to Robotic and Crewed Lunar Lander Evolution |author=Bonnie Birckenstaedt, Bernard F. Kutter, Frank Zegler |publisher=[[American Institute of Physics]] |year=2006 |page = 2 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514023823/http://unitedlaunchalliance.com/site/docs/publications/CentaurApplicationtoRoboticandCrewedLunarLanderEvolution.pdf |archivedate=2013-05-14 }}</ref> ===Payload fairing=== The standard [[payload fairing]] sizes are 4 or 5&nbsp;meters in diameter. The 4.2-meter fairing,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://spaceflight101.com/spacerockets/atlas-v-401/|title=Atlas V 401 – Rockets|website=spaceflight101.com|access-date=2016-04-18}}</ref> originally designed for the [[Atlas II]] booster, comes in three different lengths, the original 9-meter high version, as well as fairings 10&nbsp;meters (first flown on the AV-008/Astra 1KR launch) and 11&nbsp;meters (seen on the AV-004/Inmarsat-4 F1 launch) high. Lockheed Martin had the 5.4-meter (4.57&nbsp;meters usable) payload fairing for the Atlas V developed and built by [[RUAG Space]] (former Oerlikon Space<ref>[http://www.ruag.com/en/Space/Space_Home Space Home]. RUAG. Retrieved on 2011-11-19. {{Wayback|url=http://www.ruag.com/en/Space/Space_Home|date =20131204021438}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=November 2012}}) in [[Switzerland]].{{failed verification|date=October 2011}} The RUAG fairing uses [[carbon fiber]] composite construction, based on flight-proven hardware from the [[Ariane 5]]. Three configurations will be manufactured to support the Atlas V. The short (10-meter long) and medium (13-meter long) configurations will be used on the Atlas V 500 series. The 16-meter long configuration would be used on the Atlas V Heavy. The classic fairing covers only the payload, leaving the Centaur stage exposed to open air. The RUAG fairing encloses the Centaur stage as well as the payload.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/atlas-5.htm |title=Gunter's Space Page – Atlas-5 (Atlas-V)|accessdate=2011-08-05|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427025907/http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/atlas-5.htm|archivedate=2014-04-27}}</ref> ===Further developments=== Many systems on the Atlas V have been the subject of upgrade and enhancement both prior to the first Atlas V flight and since that time. Work on a new [[Fault-tolerant design|Fault Tolerant]] [[Inertial navigation system|Inertial Navigation Unit]] (FTINU) started in 2001 to enhance mission reliability for Atlas vehicles by replacing the existing non-redundant navigation and computing equipment with a fault tolerant unit.<ref>[http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/article-display/100151/articles/military-aerospace-electronics/volume-12/issue-5/departments/cots-watch/honeywell-awarded-52-million-atlas-v-contract.html Honeywell awarded $52 million Atlas V contract – Military & Aerospace Electronics]. Militaryaerospace.com (2001-05-01). Retrieved on 2011-11-19. {{Wayback|url=http://www.militaryaerospace.com/index/display/article-display/100151/articles/military-aerospace-electronics/volume-12/issue-5/departments/cots-watch/honeywell-awarded-52-million-atlas-v-contract.html|date =20110719153550}}</ref>{{full citation needed|date=November 2012}} The upgraded FTINU first flew in 2006,<ref>[http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/product_cards/guides/AtlasVUsersGuide2010.pdf Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide]. United Launch Alliance. March 2010</ref>{{full citation needed|date=November 2012}} and in 2010 a follow-on order for more FTINU units was awarded.<ref>[http://www.space-travel.com/reports/Honeywell_Provides_Guidance_System_For_Atlas_V_Rocket_999.html Honeywell Provides Guidance System For Atlas V Rocket]. Space-travel.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-19.</ref>{{full citation needed|date=November 2012}} ==== Atlas V CTS (Crew Transportation System) ==== From 2006 through at least 2014 ULA made proposals and did some amount of design work for a [[Human-rating certification|human-rated]] version of the Atlas V. Atlas V was selected by NASA in late 2014, in conjunction with the Boeing [[CST-100]] space capsule, to be used for human flight as early as 2017. The work began as early as 2006, by ULA's predecessor company [[Lockheed Martin]]. An agreement between Lockheed and [[Bigelow Aerospace]] that year was reported that could lead to commercial [[private spaceflight|private]] trips to [[low Earth orbit]] (LEO).<ref name=nsf20070131> {{cite news |last=Gaskill |first=Braddock |title=Human Rated Atlas V for Bigelow Space Station details emerge |publisher=NASASpaceflight.com |date=2007-01-31 |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/content/?cid=5008 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080314112054/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com:80/content/?cid=5008 |archivedate=2008-03-14 }} </ref> Beginning in 2010, ULA did design and simulation work to human-rate the Atlas V for carrying passengers. ULA won a 2010 small contract of {{currency|{{Format price|6700000}}|US}} in the first phase of the [[NASA]] [[Commercial Crew Development]] Program (CCDev) to develop an [[Emergency Detection System]] (EDS) for human-rating the Atlas V launch vehicle.<ref name=ula20100202> {{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/45 |title=NASA Selects United Launch Alliance for Commercial Crew Development Program |date=2010-02-02 |accessdate=2011-02-14 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml |archivedate=2013-12-07 }}</ref> {{as of|2011|2}}, ULA "is still finishing up work on its $6.7-million award... In December ULA carried out a demonstration of its Emergency Detection System ... The company said it received an extension from NASA until April 2011 'to enable us to finish critical timing analyses tasks' for [the] fault coverage analysis work."<ref name=nsj20110204> {{cite news|title=CCDev awardees one year later: where are they now? |url=http://www.newspacejournal.com/2011/02/04/ccdev-awardees-one-year-later-where-are-they-now/ |accessdate=2011-02-05 |newspaper=NewSpace Journal |date=2011-02-13|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605111613/http://www.newspacejournal.com/2011/02/04/ccdev-awardees-one-year-later-where-are-they-now/ |archivedate=2013-06-05 }}</ref> NASA solicited proposals for CCDev {{nowrap|phase 2}} in October 2010, under which ULA made a proposal for funding to "finish designing a key safety system for potential commercial crew launches on its Atlas and Delta rocket fleet." While NASA's goal then was to get astronauts to orbit by 2015, ULA President and CEO Michael Gass stated "I think we need to stretch our goals to have commercial crew service operating by 2014" and committed ULA to meet that schedule if funded.<ref name=sfn20110213> {{cite news|last=Clark|first=Stephen|title=Safety system tested for Atlas and Delta rockets|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1102/13ulaccdev/|accessdate=2011-02-14|newspaper=Spaceflight Now|date=2011-02-13|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427030425/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/news/n1102/13ulaccdev/|archivedate=2014-04-27}}</ref> Other than the addition of the Emergency Detection System, no major changes were expected to the Atlas V rocket, but ground infrastructure modifications were planned. The most likely candidate for the human-rating was the 402 configuration, with dual RL10 engines on the Centaur upper stage and no solid rocket boosters.<ref name=sfn20110213/> On July 18, 2011 NASA and ULA announced an agreement on the possibility of certifying the Atlas V to NASA's "human-rating" standards.<ref name=NASAULA>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2011/release-20110718.txt |date=2011-07-18 |publisher=NASA |title=NASA Begins Commercial Partnership With United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514041058/http://www.nasa.gov/centers/kennedy/news/releases/2011/release-20110718.txt |archivedate=2013-05-14 }}</ref> ULA agreed to provide NASA with data on the Atlas V, while NASA would provide ULA with draft human certification requirements.<ref name=NASAULA/> {{as of|2011|07}} Bigelow Aerospace was still considering the use of a human-rated Atlas V for carrying spaceflight participants to its [[Bigelow Commercial Space Station|private space station]].<ref name=cl20110718> {{cite news |last=Boyle|first=Alan |title=Rocket venture to work with NASA |url=http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/07/18/7105625-rocket-venture-to-work-with-nasa |accessdate=2011-07-21 |newspaper=MSNBC Cosmic Log |date=2011-07-18|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511055325/http://cosmiclog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/07/18/7105625-rocket-venture-to-work-with-nasa|archivedate=2012-05-11}}</ref> In 2011, [[Sierra Nevada Corporation]] (SNC) picked the Atlas V to be the booster for its still-under-development [[Dream Chaser]] crewed spacecraft.<ref name="FLTD 11-08-06">{{cite news|last=Kelly|first=John|title=Atlas V rising to the occasion|url=http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20110807/COLUMNISTS0405/108070317/1007/spaceblog|accessdate=2011-08-10|newspaper=Florida Today|date=2011-08-06|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/60rhdpgQP|archivedate=2011-08-10|location=Melbourne, Florida}}</ref> The Dream Chaser is designed to be a crewed vertical-takeoff, horizontal-landing ([[VTHL]]) [[lifting body|lifting-body]] [[spaceplane]] that will be placed into LEO by an Atlas V, and is a proposed CCDev ISS crew transport vehicle.<ref name="FLTD 11-08-06"/> However, in late 2014 NASA did not select the Dream Chaser to be one of the two vehicles selected under the [[Commercial Crew Development|Commercial Crew]] competition. On August 4, 2011 [[Boeing Defense, Space & Security|Boeing]] announced it would use the Atlas V as the initial launch vehicle for its [[CST-100]] crewed spaceship, intended for both NASA-funded trips to the [[International Space Station]], as well as for [[private spaceflight|private]] trips to the proposed [[Bigelow Commercial Space Station]].<ref name=Boeing20110804> {{cite press release |title=Boeing selects Atlas V Rocket for Initial Commercial Crew Launches |publisher=Boeing|url=http://boeing.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1869+title=Boeing|accessdate=2011-08-06|date=2011-08-04|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/60k6gZpkQ |archivedate=2011-08-06|location=Houston}}</ref><ref name=sdc20110804> {{cite news |last=Malik|first=Tariq |title=Boeing Needs Space Pilots for Spaceship & Rocket Test Flights |url=http://www.space.com/12544-boeing-space-test-pilot-rocket-launches-cst-100.html |accessdate=2011-08-07 |newspaper=SPACE.com|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/60mGo1B9B|archivedate=2011-08-08|date=2011-08-04}}</ref> {{As of|2011|08}}, a three-flight test program had been projected to be completed by 2015, and potentially certify the Atlas V/CST-100 combination for human-spaceflight operations.<ref name=sdc20110804/> The first flight was expected to include an Atlas V rocket integrated with an unpiloted CST-100 capsule, to launch from Cape Canaveral's LC-41 in early 2015 into LEO,<ref name=Boeing20110804/> with the second flight hoped to be an in-flight launch abort system demonstration in the middle of that year,<ref name=sdc20110804/> and the test-flight phase expected to culminate with a crewed mission at the end of 2015, carrying two Boeing test-pilot astronauts into LEO and returning them safely.<ref name=sdc20110804/> In August 2012, George Sowers, ULA's vice president for Human Launch Services, stated that if funded, the first manned flight of the Atlas V could occur by late 2015.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/08/ula-experience-to-build-culture-atlas-v-crew-safety/|title=ULA to use their experience to build a culture of Atlas V crew safety|last=Bergin|first=Chris|date=28 August 2012|publisher=NASASpaceFlight (not associated with NASA)|accessdate=2012-08-29|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131117042306/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/08/ula-experience-to-build-culture-atlas-v-crew-safety/|archivedate=2013-11-17}}</ref> As of 2015, delays in the program had resulted in the two orbital demonstration missions being pushed back to mid-2017.<ref>{{cite news|title=Commercial crew demo missions manifested for Dragon 2 and CST-100|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2015/03/commercial-crew-demo-missions-dragon-cst-100/|author=Chris Bergin|date=March 5, 2015|access-date=January 5, 2016}}</ref> ==== New Solid Boosters ==== In 2015, ULA announced that the Aerojet Rocketdyne-produced [[AJ-60A]] SRBs currently in use on Atlas V will be phased out in favor of new [[Graphite-Epoxy Motor|GEM 63 boosters]] produced by [[Orbital ATK]]. A stretched version of this booster will be used on the upcoming [[Vulcan (rocket)|Vulcan]] rocket.<ref name="Jason Rhian">{{cite news |url= http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/ula/ula-selects-orbital-atks-gem-6363-xl-srbs-for-atlas-v-and-vulcan-boosters/ |title= ULA selects Orbital ATK’s GEM 63/63 XL SRBs for Atlas V and Vulcan boosters |author= Jason Rhian | date= 23 September 2015| publisher= Spaceflight Insider }}</ref> === Proposed development options === ==== Replacement for the RD-180 engine ==== Geopolitical and [[Federal government of the United States|US]] [[US Congress|political]] considerations in 2014 led to an effort by ULA to consider the possible replacement of the [[Russia|Russian-supplied]] [[RD-180]] engine used on the first stage booster of the Atlas V. Formal study contracts were issued in June 2014 to a number of US rocket engine suppliers.<ref name=sn20140917/> The results of those studies have led to decisions by ULA to develop a new launch vehicle to replace the Atlas V and Delta IV existing fleet. The [[Aerojet Rocketdyne#AR-1|Aerojet AR-1]] rocket engine under development as of 2015, is a backup plan to the successor rocket Vulcan, to re-engine the Atlas V.<ref name=AWST-2015-04-15>{{cite news |url= http://aviationweek.com/defense/ula-ceo-calls-2018-availability-date-ar-1-engine-ridiculous |title= ULA CEO Calls 2018 Availability Date For AR-1 Engine ‘Ridiculous’ |author= Amy Butler |date= 15 April 2015 |publisher= Aviation Week }}</ref> In addition to the ULA backup plan, a consortium of companies including Aerojet and [[Dynetics]] seek license production or rights to the Atlas V to manufacture it using the AR-1 engine in place of the RD-180. This proposal has been declined by ULA.<ref name=SpaceNews-2015-05-12>{{cite news |url= http://spacenews.com/aerojet-led-team-seeks-atlas-5-production-rights/ |title= Aerojet on Team Seeking Atlas 5 Production Rights |date= 12 May 2015 |author= Mike Gruss |publisher= Space News }}</ref> ==== Atlas V HLV ==== In 2006, ULA offered an ''Atlas V HLV'' (Heavy Lift Vehicle) option that would use three [[Common Core Booster]] (CCB) stages strapped together to lift a 29,400&nbsp;kg payload to [[low Earth orbit]].<ref name=product-card>{{cite web|title=Atlas V Product Card|author=[[United Launch Alliance]] |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Products_AtlasV.shtml|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330140202/http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Products_AtlasV.shtml|archivedate=2014-03-30}}</ref> ULA stated at the time that 95% of the hardware required for the Atlas HLV has already been flown on the Atlas V single core vehicles.<ref name=atlasvuserguide2010/> The lifting capability of the proposed rocket was to be roughly equivalent to the [[Delta IV|Delta IV Heavy]],<ref name=atlasvuserguide2010/> which utilizes [[RS-68]] engines developed and produced domestically by Aerojet Rocketdyne. A 2006 report, prepared by the [[RAND Corporation]] for the [[Office of the Secretary of Defense]], stated that Lockheed Martin had decided not to develop an Atlas V heavy-lift vehicle (HLV).<ref>{{cite book| url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2006/RAND_MG503.pdf| format=PDF| title=National Security Space Launch Report| publisher=RAND Corporation| year=2006| page=29| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023080432/https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2006/RAND_MG503.pdf| archivedate=2012-10-23}}</ref> The report recommended for the Air Force and the National Reconnaissance Office to "determine the necessity of an EELV heavy-lift variant, including development of an Atlas V Heavy", and to "resolve the RD-180 issue, including coproduction, [[stockpiling|Stockpile]], or U.S. development of an RD-180 replacement."<ref>{{cite book| url=https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2006/RAND_MG503.pdf| format=PDF| title=National Security Space Launch Report| publisher=RAND Corporation| year=2006| page=xxi| archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121023080432/https://www.rand.org/pubs/monographs/2006/RAND_MG503.pdf| archivedate=2012-10-23}}</ref> {{as of|2010|03}}, ULA stated that the Atlas V HLV configuration could be available to customers 30 months from the date of order.<ref name=atlasvuserguide2010/> In March 2015, United Launch Alliance CEO Tory Bruno confirmed on Twitter that the Atlas V HLV will not be developed, instead they would be focusing on the Next Gen Launch System (Vulcan). ==== Atlas Phase 2 ==== With the merger of Boeing and Lockheed Martin space operations into [[United Launch Alliance]] in the mid-2000s, the Atlas V program became able to share the tooling and processes for 5-meter-diameter stages used on [[Delta IV]]. This led to a concept being put forth to combine Delta IV production processes into a new Atlas design: the "Atlas Phase 2". If the first stage were to be 5&nbsp;meters in diameter, such a stage could accept dual RD-180 engines. The conceptual heavy-lift vehicle was known as ''Atlas Phase 2'' or "PH2". An ''Atlas V PH2-Heavy'' (three 5&nbsp;m stages in parallel; six RD-180s) along with [[Shuttle-Derived Launch Vehicle|Shuttle-derived]], [[Ares V]] and Ares V Lite, was considered as a theoretically-possible heavy lifter for use in future space missions in the [[Review of United States Human Space Flight Plans Committee|Augustine Report]].<ref name="hsf200910" /> If built, the Atlas PH2 HLV was projected to be able to launch a payload mass of approximately 70 metric tons into an orbit of 28.5 degree-[[Orbital inclination#Natural and artificial satellites|inclination]].<ref name=hsf200910>[http://www.nasa.gov/pdf/396093main_HSF_Cmte_FinalReport.pdf HSF Final Report: Seeking a Human Spaceflight Program Worthy of a Great Nation], October 2009, ''Review of U.S. Human Spaceflight Plans Committee'', graphic on p. 64, retrieved 2011-02-07.</ref> None of the Atlas V Phase 2 proposals reached development. ==== GX rocket ==== {{main|GX (rocket)}} The Atlas V Common Core Booster was to have been used as the first stage of the joint US-[[Japan]]ese [[GX (rocket)|GX]] rocket, which was scheduled to make its maiden flight in 2012.<ref name="ULA-GX">{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/product_sheet/GXProductCard.pdf|title=GX Launch Vehicle|publisher=United Launch Alliance|accessdate=2009-05-07}} {{Dead link|date=October 2010|bot=H3llBot}}</ref> GX launches would have been from the Atlas V launch complex at Vandenberg AFB, SLC-3E. In December 2009, the Japanese government decided to cancel the GX project.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3716870|title=Japan scraps GX rocket development project|publisher=iStockAnalyst|date=2009-12-16|accessdate=2009-12-16|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140306095016/http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews/articleid/3716870|archivedate=2014-03-06}}</ref> == Variants == [[File:Atlas V family.png|Atlas V family|thumb|right]] [[File:Atlas V Launch Vehicle Diagram.png|thumb|right]] Each Atlas V booster configuration has a three-digit designation that indicates the features of that configuration. The first digit shows the diameter (in meters) of the [[payload fairing]], and always has a value of "4" or "5". The second digit indicates the number of solid rocket boosters attached to the base of the rocket, and can range from "0" through "3" with the 4-meter fairing, and "0" through "5" with the 5-meter fairing. The third digit represents the number of engines on the Centaur stage, either "1" or "2". For example, an Atlas V ''552'' has a 5-meter fairing, five solid rocket boosters, and two Centaur engines, whereas an Atlas V ''431'' has a 4-meter fairing, three solid rocket boosters, and a single Centaur engine.<ref name="users guide">{{cite web|title=Atlas V|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/docs/product_cards/guides/AtlasVUsersGuide2010.pdf|publisher=ULA|pages=1–4|format=PDF|year=2010|archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/68HIYj6Di|archivedate=2012-06-08}}</ref> {{As of|2014}}, only the single-engine Centaur (SEC) has been used, with the first launch using the dual-engine Centaur (DEC) upper stage planned for November 2016, when an Atlas V 402 will carry the [[Sierra Nevada Corporation|Sierra Nevada]] [[Dream Chaser]] vehicle for its first orbital test flight.<ref>{{cite web|title=Sierra Nevada books first launch for 'space SUV'|url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1401/26sierranevada/#.UuaMbhAo5pg|publisher=Spaceflight Now|accessdate=28 January 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140209204009/http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1401/26sierranevada/|archivedate=2014-02-09}}</ref> ;Versions: <small>As of June 2015, all versions of the Atlas V, its design and production rights, and intellectual property rights are owned by ULA and Lockheed Martin.<ref name=SpaceNews-2015-06-19>{{cite news |url= http://spacenews.com/air-force-confirms-ula-position-on-atlas-5-production-rights/ |title= Air Force Confirms ULA Position on Atlas 5 Production Rights |author= Mike Gruss |date= 19 June 2015 |publisher= Space News }}</ref> List Date: March 23, 2016<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.planet4589.org/space/lvdb/launch/Atlas5 |title=Jonathan's Space Report Launch Vehicle Database – Atlas V |publisher=Jonathan McDowell |date=2010-10-28 |accessdate=2010-12-11|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131211113416/http://www.planet4589.org/space/lvdb/launch/Atlas5 |archivedate=2013-12-11 }}</ref> Mass to LEO numbers are at an inclination of 28.5 degrees.</small> {| class="wikitable sortable" |- style="background:#ffdead;" ! Version ! Fairing ! CCBs ! SRBs ! Upper stage ! Payload to [[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] ! Payload to [[Geostationary transfer orbit|GTO]] ! Launches to date |- | 401 | 4&nbsp;m | 1 | – | SEC | 9,797&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 4,750&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide>[http://www.lockheedmartin.com/data/assets/ssc/cls/AVUG_Rev11_March2010.pdf Atlas V Mission Planner's Guide – March 2010]. (PDF) Retrieved on 2011-11-19.</ref> | 32 |- | 402 | 4&nbsp;m | 1 | – | DEC | 12,500&nbsp;kg<ref name=FAA>{{cite web|url=http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/ast_developments_concepts_2010.pdf|title=2010 U.S. Commercial Space Transportation Developments and Concepts: Vehicles, Technologies, and Spaceports|date=January 2010|publisher=Federal Aviation Administration|accessdate=2011-11-26|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120921011608/http://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/media/ast_developments_concepts_2010.pdf|archivedate=2012-09-21}}</ref> | – | 0 |- | 411 | 4&nbsp;m | 1 | 1 | SEC | 12,150&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 5,950&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 3 |- | 412 | 4&nbsp;m | 1 | 1 | DEC | – | – | 0 |- | 421 | 4&nbsp;m | 1 | 2 | SEC | 14,067&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 6,890&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 5 |- | 422 | 4&nbsp;m | 1 | 2 | DEC | - | - | 0 |- | 431 | 4&nbsp;m | 1 | 3 | SEC | 15,718&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 7,700&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 2 |- | 501 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | – | SEC | 8,123&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 3,775&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 6 |- | 502 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | – | DEC | – | – | 0 |- | 511 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 1 | SEC | 10,986&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 5,250&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 0 |- | 512 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 1 | DEC | – | – | 0 |- | 521 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 2 | SEC | 13,490&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 6,475&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 2 |- | 522 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 2 | DEC | – | – | 0 |- | 531 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 3 | SEC | 15,575&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 7,475&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 3 |- | 532 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 3 | DEC | – | – | 0 |- | 541 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 4 | SEC | 17,443&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 8,290&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 3 |- | 542 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 4 | DEC | – | – | 0 |- | 551 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 5 | SEC | 18,814&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 8,900&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | 6 |- | 552 | 5.4&nbsp;m | 1 | 5 | DEC | 20,520&nbsp;kg<ref name=FAA/> | – | 0 |- | Heavy (HLV/5H1) | 5.4&nbsp;m | 3 | – | SEC | – | – | 0 |- | Heavy (HLV DEC/5H2) | 5.4&nbsp;m | 3 | – | DEC | 29,400&nbsp;kg<ref name=guide/> | – | 0 |} == Cost == In 2013, the cost for an Atlas V 541 launch to GTO (including launch services, payload processing, launch vehicle integration mission, unique launch site ground support and tracking, data and telemetry services) was about $223 million.<ref name="NASAC12-016">{{cite web |url=http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/apr/HQ_C12-016_GOES-R_GOES-S_Launch.html|title=CONTRACT RELEASE : C12-016: NASA Awards Launch Contract For Goes-R And Goes-S Missions|accessdate=2013-04-21|publisher=NASA|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131126092132/http://www.nasa.gov/home/hqnews/2012/apr/HQ_C12-016_GOES-R_GOES-S_Launch.html|archivedate=2013-11-26}}</ref> In 2014 the NASA contracted ULA to launch the [[Solar Orbiter]] for around $173 million.<ref name=sfn-20140318>{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1403/18solarorbiter/ |title=Atlas 5 rocket selected for Solar Orbiter launch |author=Stephen Clark |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=18 March 2014 |accessdate=19 March 2014|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320011726/http://spaceflightnow.com/news/n1403/18solarorbiter/ |archivedate=2014-03-20 }}</ref> In 2015, ULA stated that a low-end Atlas V sells for about $164 million.<ref name=sfn-20150422>{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/04/22/ula-needs-commercial-business-to-close-vulcan-rocket-business-case/ |title=ULA needs commercial business to close Vulcan rocket business case |author=Stephen Clark |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=22 April 2015 |accessdate=23 April 2015}}</ref> Since around 2005, Atlas V has not been cost-competitive for most commercial launches, where launch costs were about $100 million per satellite to [[Geostationary transfer orbit|GTO]] in 2013.<ref name=sfn-20131124>{{cite news |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/falcon9/007/131124commercial/ |title=Sizing up America's place in the global launch industry |author=Stephen Clark |publisher=Spaceflight Now |date=24 November 2013 |accessdate=25 November 2013|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203224447/http://spaceflightnow.com:80/falcon9/007/131124commercial/ |archivedate=2013-12-03 }}</ref> ==Atlas V launches== {{details3|[[List of Atlas launches]]}} {{clear left}} List Date: March 23, 2016 {| class="wikitable sortable collapsible collapsed" border="1" |- ! # ! Date and time([[UTC]]) ! Type ! Serial no. ! Launch site ! Payload ! Type of payload ! Orbit ! Outcome ! Remarks |- |1 |August 21, 2002<br />22:05 |401 |AV-001 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Hot Bird]] 6 |Commercial [[communications satellite]] |[[Geosynchronous orbit|GSO]] |Success <ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/inaugural-atlas-v-scores-success-ils-lockheed-martin|title = Inaugural Atlas V Scores Success for ILS, Lockheed Martin |date=August 21, 2002|publisher=International Launch Services|accessdate = 2013-02-28|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130725200307/http://www.ilslaunch.com:80/newsroom/news-releases/inaugural-atlas-v-scores-success-ils-lockheed-martin|archivedate=2013-07-25}}</ref> |First Atlas V launch |- |2 |May 13, 2003<br />22:10 |401 |AV-002 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Hellas Sat]]&nbsp;2 |Commercial communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous orbit|GSO]] |Success <ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-launches-hellas-sat-atlas-v|title = ILS Launches Hellas-Sat on Atlas V |date=May 13, 2003|publisher=International Launch Services|accessdate = 2013-02-28}}</ref> |First satellite for [[Greece]] and [[Cyprus]] |- |3 |July 17, 2003<br />23:45 |521 |AV-003 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |Rainbow&nbsp;1 |Commercial communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous orbit|GSO]] |Success <ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-launches-rainbow-1-satellite|title = ILS Launches Rainbow 1 Satellite |date=July 17, 2003|publisher=International Launch Services|accessdate = 2013-02-28}}</ref> |First Atlas V 500 launch<br />First Atlas V launch with SRBs |- |4 |December 17, 2004<br />12:07 |521 |AV-005 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |AMC&nbsp;16 |Commercial communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous orbit|GSO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/news287 |title=ILS Launches AMC-16; Wraps Up Year With 10 Mission Successes |date=December 17, 2004|publisher=International Launch Services|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219192850/http://ilslaunch.com/news287|archivedate=2010-12-19}}</ref> | |- |5 |March 11, 2005<br />21:42 |431 |AV-004 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Inmarsat|Inmarsat&nbsp;4-F1]] |Commercial communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous orbit|GSO]] |Success <ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.ilslaunch.com/newsroom/news-releases/ils-atlas-v-vehicle-lifts-massive-satellite-inmarsat|title = ILS Atlas V Vehicle Lifts Massive Satellite For Inmarsat|date=March 11, 2005|publisher=International Launch Services|accessdate = 2013-02-28}}</ref> |First Atlas V 400 launch with SRBs |- |6 |August 12, 2005<br />11:43 |401 |AV-007 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] |[[Mars]] orbiter |[[Heliocentric orbit|Heliocentric]] to<br>[[Mars|Areocentric]] |Success<ref name="mro">{{cite web |url=http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/newsroom/pressreleases/20050812a.html |title=NASA's Multipurpose Mars Mission Successfully Launched |date=2005-08-12 |publisher=NASA |accessdate=2011-12-04|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510140909/http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/mro/newsroom/pressreleases/20050812a.html |archivedate=2013-05-10 }}</ref> |First Atlas V launch for NASA |- |7 |January 19, 2006<br />19:00 |551 |AV-010 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[New Horizons]] |[[Pluto]] and [[Kuiper Belt]] probe |[[Hyperbolic trajectory|Hyperbolic]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/news/release-20060119.html|title=NASA's Pluto Mission Launched Toward New Horizons|date=2006-01-19|publisher=NASA|accessdate=2011-12-04|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427025405/http://www.nasa.gov/mission_pages/newhorizons/news/release-20060119.html|archivedate=2014-04-27}}</ref> |[[Boeing]] [[Star 48]]B third stage used, first Atlas V launch with a third stage |- |8 |April 20, 2006<br />20:27 |411 |AV-008 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Astra 1KR]] |Commercial communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous orbit|GSO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ilslaunch.com/news337 |title=ILS Launches ASTRA 1KR Satellite |date=April 20, 2006|publisher=International Launch Services|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20101219205757/http://ilslaunch.com/news337|archivedate=2010-12-19}}</ref> | |- |9 |March 8, 2007<br />03:10 |401 |AV-013 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Space Test Program]]-1 |6 military research satellites ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/9 |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches First USAF Atlas V |date=March 8, 2007|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | * First ULA Atlas launch * First Atlas V night launch * First three-burn Atlas V mission * [[Orbital Express]] * [[FalconSAT#FalconSAT-3|FalconSAT-3]] |- |10 |June 15, 2007<br />15:11 |401 |AV-009 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |USA-194 (NRO L-30/[[NOSS]]-4-3A & B) |Two [[National Reconnaissance Office|NRO]] [[Reconnaissance satellite]]s ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Partial failure (payload reached lower than intended orbit; customer declared success) <ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av009/status.html|title = Mission Status Center|date=August 16, 2007|publisher=Spaceflight Now|accessdate = 2013-02-28|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140221144906/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av009/status.html|archivedate=2014-02-21}}</ref> |First Atlas V flight for the National Reconnaissance Office<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.nro.gov/news/press/2007/2007-01.pdf|title = NRO satellite successfully launched aboard Atlas V|date=June 15, 2007|publisher=NRO|accessdate = 2013-04-18|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217195710/http://www.nro.gov/news/press/2007/2007-01.pdf|archivedate=2013-02-17}}</ref> |- |11 |October 11, 2007<br />00:22 |421 |AV-011 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |USA-195 ([[Wideband Global SATCOM system|WGS]] SV-1) |Military communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/24 |title=United Launch Alliance Atlas V Successfully Launches AF WGS Satellite |date=October 10, 2007|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> |Valve replacement<ref name=valve /> |- |12 |December 10, 2007<br />22:05 |401 |AV-015 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-198]] ([[National Reconnaissance Office|NRO L-24]]) |[[National Reconnaissance Office|NRO]] [[reconnaissance satellite]] |[[Molniya Orbit|Molniya]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/38 |title=United Launch Alliance Atlas V Successfully Launches NRO Satellite |date=December 10, 2007|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |13 |March 13, 2008<br />10:02 |411 |AV-006 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |[[USA-200]] (NRO L-28) |NRO reconnaissance satellite |[[Molniya Orbit|Molniya]] |Success<ref name=av006>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/41 |title=United Launch Alliance Inaugural Atlas V West Coast Launch a Success |date=March 13, 2008|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> |First Atlas V launch from Vandenberg<ref name=av006/> |- |14 |April 14, 2008<br />20:12 |421 |AV-014 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[ICO G1]] |Commercial communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/43 |title=United Launch Alliance Launches Heaviest Commercial Satellite for Atlas V |date=April 14, 2008|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | * [[Lockheed Martin]] Commercial Launch Services launch * Heaviest payload launched by an Atlas until the launch of [[Mobile User Objective System|MUOS-1]] in 2012. * Largest comsat in the world at time of launch until the launch of [[TerreStar-1]] in 2009. |- |15 |April 4, 2009<br />00:31 |421 |AV-016 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |USA-204 (WGS SV2) |Military communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/23 |title=United Launch Alliance Atlas V Successfully Launches AF WGS-2 Satellite|date=April 3, 2009|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |16 |June 18, 2009<br />21:32 |401 |AV-020 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Lunar Precursor Robotic Program|LRO/LCROSS]] |Lunar exploration |[[High Earth orbit|HEO]] to [[Lunar orbit|Lunar]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/21 |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Moon Mission for NASA |date=June 18, 2009|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> |First Centaur stage to impact on the Moon. |- |17 |September 8, 2009<br />21:35 |401 |AV-018 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |USA-207 ([[Palladium At Night|PAN]]) |Military communications satellite<ref name=av018>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av018/ |title=Clues about mystery payload emerge soon after launch |date=September 8, 2009|publisher=Spaceflight Now|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427025125/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av018/|archivedate=2014-04-27}}</ref> |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]]<ref name=av018/> |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/15 |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches PAN Satellite |date=September 8, 2009|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |18 |October 18, 2009<br />16:12 |401 |AV-017 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |USA-210 ([[Defense Meteorological Satellite Program|DMSP 5D3-F18]]) |Military weather satellite ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/12 |title=United Launch Alliance 600th Atlas Mission Successfully Launches DMSP F18 |date=October 18, 2009|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |19 |November 23, 2009<br />06:55 |431 |AV-024 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Intelsat 14]] |Commercial communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/10 |title=United Launch Alliance Launches 4th 2009 Commercial Mission: Intelsat 14 |date=November 23, 2009|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> |LMCLS launch |- |20 |February 11, 2010<br />15:23 |401 |AV-021 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Solar Dynamics Observatory|SDO]] |[[Solar Observatory]] |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/46 |title=United Launch Alliance Launches Solar Observatory Mission for NASA |date=February 11, 2010|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |21 |April 22, 2010<br />23:52 |501 |AV-012 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-212|USA-212 (X-37B OTV-1)]] |Military orbital test vehicle |[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/48 |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches OTV Mission|date=April 22, 2010|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> |A piece of the external fairing did not break up on impact, but washed up on Hilton Head Island.<ref>[http://www.wistv.com/global/story.asp?s=12541816 Experts weigh in on rocket debris found on Hilton Head]. Wistv.com. Retrieved on 2011-11-19. {{Wayback|url=http://www.wistv.com/global/story.asp?s=12541816|date =20120318131637}}</ref> |- |22 |August 14, 2010<br />11:07 |531 |AV-019 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |USA-214 ([[AEHF|AEHF-1]]) |Military communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/54 |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches First AEHF Mission|date=August 14, 2010|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |23 |September 21, 2010<br />04:03 |501 |AV-025 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |[[USA-215]] (NRO L-41) |NRO reconnaissance satellite |[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/57 |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches National Defense Mission|date=September 20, 2010|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |24 |March 5, 2011<br />22:46 |501 |AV-026 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-226|USA-226 (X-37B OTV-2)]] |Military orbital test vehicle ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/66/ |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second OTV Mission|date=March 5, 2011|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |25 |April 15, 2011<br />04:24 |411 |AV-027 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |USA-229 (NRO L-34) |NRO reconnaissance satellite ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref name=av027>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/69 |title=ULA Successfully Launches Fifth NRO Mission in Seven Months|date=April 14, 2011|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |26 |May 7, 2011<br />18:10 |401 |AV-022 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[SBIRS|USA-230 (SBIRS-GEO-1)]] |Missile Warning satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref name=av022>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/70/ |title=United Launch Alliance Marks 50th Successful Launch by delivering the Space-Based Infrared System (SBIRS) Satellite to orbit for the U.S. Air Force|date=May 7, 2011|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |27 |August 5, 2011<br />16:25 |551 |AV-029 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Juno (spacecraft)|Juno]] |[[Jupiter]] orbiter |[[Hyperbolic trajectory|Hyperbolic]] to<br>[[Jupiter|Jovicentric]] |Success<ref name=juno>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/78/ |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Juno Spacecraft on Five-Year Journey to study Jupiter|date=August 5, 2011|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |28 |November 26, 2011<br />15:02 |541 |AV-028 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Mars Science Laboratory]] |[[Mars]] rover |[[Hyperbolic trajectory|Hyperbolic]]<br>(Mars landing) |Success<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av028/ |title=Mars Science Laboratory begins cruise to red planet |last=Harwood |first=William |date=2011-11-26 |publisher=Spaceflight Now Inc. |accessdate=2011-12-04|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427010412/http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av028/ |archivedate=2014-04-27 }}</ref> |First launch of the 541 configuation<ref>{{cite web|title=Challenge of Getting to Mars |url=https://www.youtube.com/jplnews#p/u/6/CC2RN8LBHRA|work=Chapter 4: Launching Curiosity|publisher=JPL}}</ref><br>Centaur entered orbit around the sun<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.theregister.co.uk/2011/11/26/nasa_msl_launch/ |title=US Martian nuke-truck launches without a hitch, but... |author= Rik Myslewski |date=2011-11-26|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120527132116/http://www.theregister.co.uk:80/2011/11/26/nasa_msl_launch/ |archivedate=2012-05-27 }}</ref> |- |29 |February 24, 2012<br />22:15 |551 |AV-030 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Mobile User Objective System|MUOS-1]] |Military communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref name=av030>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/97/|title=United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket, with 200th Centaur, Successfully Launches Mobile User Objective System-1 Mission|date=February 24, 2012|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | * 200th Centaur launch<ref name=av030_sfn>{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av030/centaur/|title=Landmark launch in rocketry: Centaur set for Flight 200|date=February 9, 2012|author= Justin Ray |publisher=Spaceflight Now |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140427030939/http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av030/centaur/|archivedate=2014-04-27}}</ref> * Heaviest payload launched by an Atlas until launch of MUOS-2 |- |30 |May 4, 2012<br />18:42 |531 |AV-031 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-235]] ([[AEHF|AEHF-2]]) |Military communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>[http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/102 :::: United Launch Alliance, LLC ::::] {{Wayback|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/102|date =20131207160150}}</ref> | |- |31 |June 20, 2012<br />12:28 |401 |AV-023 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-236]] (NROL-38) |NRO reconnaissance satellite |[[Geosynchronous Earth Orbit|GEO]] |Success<ref>[http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av023/status.html Spaceflight Now | Atlas Launch Report | Mission Status Center] {{Wayback|url=http://www.spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av023/status.html|date =20131220093258}}</ref> |50th [[Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle|EELV]] launch |- |32 |August 30, 2012<br />08:05 |401 |AV-032 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Van Allen Probes]] (RBSP) |[[Van Allen Belts]] exploration |[[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] |Success<ref>[http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/117/ :::: United Launch Alliance, LLC :::: ] {{Wayback|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/117/|date =20131207160150}}</ref> | |- |33 |September 13, 2012<br />21:39 |401 |AV-033 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |[[USA-238]] (NROL-36) |NRO reconnaissance satellites |[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/09/uatlas-v-launch-nrol-36-vandenberg/|title=ULA Atlas V finally launches with NROL-36|last=Graham|first=William |date=13 September 2012|publisher=NASASpaceFlight.com (Not affiliated with NASA)|accessdate=2012-09-14|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131216012104/http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2012/09/uatlas-v-launch-nrol-36-vandenberg/|archivedate=2013-12-16}}</ref> | |- |34 |December 11, 2012<br />18:03 |501 |AV-034 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-240|USA-240 (X-37B OTV-3)]] |Military orbital test vehicle ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref name=av034>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/127/|title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Third X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle for the Air Force|date=December 11, 2012|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |35 |January 31, 2013<br />01:48 |401 |AV-036 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Tracking and Data Relay Satellite|TDRS-11]] (TDRS-K) |Data relay satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] ||Success<ref name=av036>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/128/|title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite |date=January 31, 2013|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |36 |February 11, 2013<br />18:02 |401 |AV-035 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |[[Landsat 8]] |Earth Observation satellite ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref name=av035>{{cite web |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av035/ |title=Atlas 5 rocket launch continues legacy of Landsat |author=Justin Ray |deadurl=no |accessdate=2013-02-11 |publisher=Spaceflight Now|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140421051311/http://spaceflightnow.com/atlas/av035/ |archivedate=2014-04-21 }}</ref> |First West Coast Atlas V Launch for [[NASA]] |- |37 |March 19, 2013<br />21:21 |401 |AV-037 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-241]] ([[Space-Based Infrared System|SBIRS-GEO 2]]) |Missile Warning satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] ||Success<ref name=av037>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/131/ |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Space-Based Infrared System SBIRS Satellite to Orbit for the U.S. Air Force |deadurl=no |accessdate=2013-03-20 |publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml |archivedate=2013-12-07 }}</ref> | |- |38 |May 15, 2013<br />21:38 |401 |AV-039 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-242]] ([[GPS Block IIF|GPS IIF-4]]) |Navigation satellite |[[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] ||Success<ref name=av039>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/139/ |title=ULA Launches 70th Successful Mission in 77 Months with the Launch of the GPS IIF-4 Satellite for the Air Force |deadurl=no |accessdate=2013-05-15 |publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml |archivedate=2013-12-07 }}</ref> |*First GPS satellite launched by an Atlas V * Longest Atlas V mission to date |- |39 |July 19, 2013<br />13:00 |551 |AV-040 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Mobile User Objective System|MUOS-2]] |Military Communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref name=av040>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/146/ |title=United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket Successfully Launches Mobile User Objective System-2 Mission for U.S. Navy |deadurl=no |accessdate=2013-07-19|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |40 |September 18, 2013<br />08:10 |531 |AV-041 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-246]] (AEHF-3) |Military communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref name=av041>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/154/ |title=United Launch Alliance Marks 75th Successful Launch by Delivering the Advanced Extremely High Frequency-3 Satellite to Orbit for the U.S. Air Force |deadurl=no |accessdate=2013-09-18 |publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml |archivedate=2013-12-07 }}</ref> | |- |41 |November 18, 2013<br />18:28 |401 |AV-038 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[MAVEN]] |[[Mars]] orbiter |[[Hyperbolic trajectory|Hyperbolic]] to<br>[[Mars|Areocentric]] |Success<ref name=av038>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/158/ |title=United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket Successfully Launches MAVEN mission on Journey to the Red Planet|deadurl=no |accessdate=2013-11-19 |publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |42 |December 6, 2013<br />07:14 |501 |AV-042 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |[[USA-247]] (NROL-39) |NRO reconnaissance satellite |[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref name=av042>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/163/ |title=United Launch Alliance Atlas V Rocket Successfully Launches Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office|deadurl=no |accessdate=2013-12-06 |publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |43 |January 24, 2014<br />02:33 |401 |AV-043 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Tracking and Data Relay Satellite|TDRS-12]] (TDRS-L) |Data relay satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/165/ |title=United Launch Alliance successfully launches NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite payload |date=January 23, 2014|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |44 |April 3, 2014<br />14:46 |401 |AV-044 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |[[USA-249]] ([[Defense Meteorological Satellite Program|DMSP-5D3 F19]]) |Military weather satellite ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/170/ |title=United Launch Alliance Marks 80th Successful Launch by Delivering Air Force’s Weather Satellite to Orbit |date=April 3, 2014|publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> |50th RD-180 launch |- |45 |April 10, 2014<br />17:45 |541 |AV-045 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-250]] (NROL-67) |NRO reconnaissance satellite |[[Geosynchronous Earth Orbit|GEO]] |Success<ref name=av045>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/News.shtml#/171/ |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Second Mission in Just Seven Days|deadurl=no |accessdate=2014-04-11 |publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131207160150/http://www.ulalaunch.com:80/site/pages/News.shtml|archivedate=2013-12-07}}</ref> | |- |46 |May 22, 2014<br />13:09 |401 |AV-046 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-252]] (NROL-33) |NRO reconnaissance satellite |[[Geosynchronous Earth Orbit|GEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-NROL33.aspx |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Four Missions in Just Seven Weeks|deadurl=no |accessdate=2014-05-22 |publisher=United Launch Alliance|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140522195627/http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-NROL33.aspx|archivedate=2014-05-22}}</ref> | |- |47 |August 2, 2014<br />03:23 |401 |AV-048 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-256]] ([[GPS Block IIF|GPS IIF-7]]) |Navigation satellite |[[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] ||Success<ref name=av048>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-gps-iif-7.aspx |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Two Rockets in Just Four Days |deadurl=no |accessdate=2014-08-03 |publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> | |- |48 |August 13, 2014<br />18:30 |401 |AV-047 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |[[WorldView-3]] |Earth imaging satellite ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref name=av047>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-atlas-v-launches-worldview3-satellite.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Atlas+V+Launches+WorldView-3+Satellite+for+DigitalGlobe |title=United Launch Alliance Atlas V Launches WorldView-3 Satellite for DigitalGlobe |deadurl=no |accessdate=2014-08-13 |publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> | |- |49 |September 17, 2014<br />00:10 |401 |AV-049 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |USA-257 ([[CLIO (satellite)|CLIO]]) |Military communications satellite<ref name=av049_nsf>{{cite web|url=http://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2014/09/ula-atlas-v-secretive-clio-mission/ |title=ULA Atlas V successfully launches secretive CLIO mission |date=September 17, 2014|author=William Graham|publisher=NASASpaceflight.com}}</ref> |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]]<ref name=av049_nsf/> |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-launches-its-60th-mission-from-cape.aspx |title=United Launch Alliance Launches Its 60th Mission from Cape Canaveral |date=September 17, 2014|publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> | |- |50 |October 29, 2014<br />17:21 |401 |AV-050 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-258]] ([[GPS Block IIF|GPS IIF-8]]) |Navigation satellite |[[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-atlas-v-launches-gps-iif-8.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+50th+Atlas+V+Rocket |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 50th Atlas V Rocket |date=October 29, 2014|publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> |50th Atlas V launch |- |51 |December 13, 2014<br />03:19 |541 |AV-051 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |[[USA-259]] (NROL-35) |NRO reconnaissance satellite ||[[Molniya Orbit|Molniya]] |Success<ref name=av051>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-atlas-v-successfully-launches-nrol-35.aspx |title=United Launch Alliance Atlas V Successfully Launches Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office |deadurl=no |accessdate=2014-12-13 |publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> |First use of the [[RL10|RL-10C]] engine on the Centaur stage |- |52 |January 21, 2015<br />01:04 |551 |AV-052 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Mobile User Objective System|MUOS-3]] |Military Communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref name=av052>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-navys-muos3.aspx |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System-3 |deadurl=no |accessdate=2015-01-21|publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> | |- |53 |March 13, 2015<br />02:44 |421 |AV-053 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Magnetospheric Multiscale Mission|MMS]] |Magnetosphere research satellites |[[High Earth Orbit|HTO]] |Success<ref name=av053>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-nasa-mms.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+Solar+Probes+to+Study+Space+Weather+for+NASA |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Solar Probes to Study Space Weather for NASA |deadurl=no |accessdate=2015-03-15|publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> | |- |54 |May 20, 2015<br />15:05 |501 |AV-054 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-261]] (X-37B OTV-4/AFSPC-5) |Military orbital test vehicle ||[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref name=av054>{{cite web |url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-afspc5.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+X-37B+Orbital+Test+Vehicle+for+the+U.S.+Air+Force |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle for the U.S. Air Force |deadurl=no |accessdate=2015-05-21|publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> | |- |55 |July 15, 2015<br />15:36 |401 |AV-055 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-262]] ([[GPS Block IIF|GPS IIF-10]]) |Navigation satellite |[[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-gpsiif10.aspx |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Global Positioning Satellite for the U.S. Air Force |date=July 15, 2015|publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> | |- |56 |September 2, 2015<br />10:18 |551 |AV-056 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Mobile User Objective System|MUOS-4]] |Military Communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-muos4.aspx |title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches the U.S. Navy’s Mobile User Objective System-4 |date=September 2, 2015|publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> | |- |57 |October 2, 2015<br />10:28 |421 |AV-059 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Mexsat-2]] |Communications satellite |[[Geosynchronous transfer orbit|GTO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-launches-morelos-3.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Reaches+100+Successful+Missions+with+Morelos-3+Satellite|title=United Launch Alliance Reaches 100 Successful Missions with Morelos-3 Satellite |date=October 2, 2015|publisher=United Launch Alliance}}</ref> | |- |58 |October 8, 2015<br />12:49 |401 |AV-058 |[[Vandenberg Air Force Base|VAFB]]&nbsp;[[Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 3|SLC-3E]] |[[USA-264]] (NROL-55) |NRO reconnaissance satellites |[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-NROL55.aspx|title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches Payload for the National Reconnaissance Office |date=8 October 2015|publisher=[[United Launch Alliance]]|accessdate=8 October 2015}}</ref> | |- |59 |October 31, 2015<br />16:13 |401 |AV-060 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-265]] ([[GPS Block IIF|GPS IIF-11]]) |Navigation satellite |[[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-gps-iif11.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+GPS+IIF-11+Satellite+for+U.S.+Air+Force|title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches GPS IIF-11 Satellite for U.S. Air Force |date=31 October 2015|publisher=[[United Launch Alliance]]|accessdate=1 November 2015}}</ref> | |- |60 |December 6, 2015<br />21:44 |401 |AV-061 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Cygnus CRS OA-4]] |[[International Space Station|ISS]] logistics spacecraft |[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-oa4-cygnus.aspx|title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches OA-4 Cygnus to International Space Station |date=6 December 2015|publisher=[[United Launch Alliance]]|accessdate=6 December 2015}}</ref> |First Atlas rocket used to directly support the ISS program |- |61 |February 5, 2016<br />13:38 |401 |AV-057 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[USA-266]] ([[GPS Block IIF|GPS IIF-12]]) |Navigation satellite |[[Medium Earth orbit|MEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-gps-iif12.aspx|title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches GPS IIF-12 Satellite for U.S. Air Force |date=5 February 2016|publisher=[[United Launch Alliance]]|accessdate=5 February 2016}}</ref> | |- |62 |March 23, 2016<br />03:05 |401 |AV-064 |[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station|CCAFS]]&nbsp;[[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Space Launch Complex 41|SLC-41]] |[[Cygnus CRS OA-6]] |[[International Space Station|ISS]] logistics spacecraft |[[Low Earth orbit|LEO]] |Success<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ulalaunch.com/ula-successfully-launches-oa-6.aspx?title=United+Launch+Alliance+Successfully+Launches+7%2c745+Pounds+of+Cargo+to+International+Space+Station|title=United Launch Alliance Successfully Launches 7,745 Pounds of Cargo to International Space Station |date=22 March 2016|publisher=[[United Launch Alliance]]|accessdate=28 March 2016}}</ref> | |} <center>For planned launches, see:<br />[[List of Atlas launches (2010–2019)]]</center> ===Notable missions=== The first payload launched with a Atlas V, was the [[Hot Bird]] 6 communications satellite launched from Cape Canaveral in a 401 configuration. It carried the communications satellite into geostationary transfer orbit (GTO) on August 21, 2002. On August 12, 2005, [[Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter]] was launched aboard an Atlas V 401 rocket from [[Space Launch Complex 41]] at [[Cape Canaveral Air Force Station]]. The [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur upper stage]] of the rocket completed its burns over a fifty-six-minute period and placed MRO into an [[Hohmann transfer orbit|interplanetary transfer orbit]] towards Mars<ref name="mro" /> On January 19, 2006, [[New Horizons]] was launched by a Lockheed Martin Atlas V 551 rocket, with a third stage added to increase the heliocentric (escape) speed. This was the first launch of the Atlas V 551 configuration, which uses five solid rocket boosters, and the first Atlas V with a third stage. In its more than sixty launches, starting with its maiden launch in August 2002, Atlas V has had a perfect mission success rate. The first anomalous event in the use of the Atlas V launch system occurred on June 15, 2007, when the engine in the Centaur upper stage of an Atlas V shut down early, leaving its payload – a pair of [[National Reconnaissance Office|NRO]] L-30 ocean [[surveillance satellite]]s – in a lower than intended orbit. The cause of the anomaly was traced to a leaky valve, which allowed fuel to leak during the coast between the first and second burns. The resulting lack of fuel caused the second burn to terminate 4&nbsp;seconds early.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.losangeles.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123059386 |title=Air Force Issues Second Update Regarding Atlas V Centaur Upper Stage Anomaly Review |publisher=U.S. Air Force |date=2 July 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223105812/http://www.losangeles.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123059386 |archivedate=2014-02-23 }}</ref> Replacing the valve led to a delay in the next Atlas V launch.<ref name=valve>{{cite news|url=http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/floridatoday/access/1723299381.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+2%2C+2007&author=PATRICK+PETERSON&pub=Florida+Today&edition=&startpage=A.3&desc=Faulty+valve+pushes+back+Atlas+5+launch |title=Faulty valve pushes back Atlas 5 launch |publisher=Florida Today | first=Patrick | last=Peterson | date=September 2, 2007|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20121025230355/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/floridatoday/access/1723299381.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+2,+2007&author=PATRICK+PETERSON&pub=Florida+Today&edition=&startpage=A.3&desc=Faulty+valve+pushes+back+Atlas+5+launch |archivedate=2012-10-25 }}</ref> However, the customer, the [[National Reconnaissance Office]], categorized the mission as a success.<ref>{{cite press |date=June 15, 2007 |url=http://www.nro.gov/news/press/2007/2007-01.pdf |title=NRO satellite successfully launched aboard Atlas V |publisher=NRO|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217195710/http://www.nro.gov/news/press/2007/2007-01.pdf |archivedate=2013-02-17 }}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|date=June 18, 2007|url=http://www.nro.gov/news/press/2007/2007-02.pdf |title=NROL-30 launch update |publisher=NRO|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130217191851/http://www.nro.gov/news/press/2007/2007-02.pdf|archivedate=2013-02-17}}</ref> Another flight on the 23rd of March, 2016, suffered an underperformance anomaly on the first stage burn and shut down five seconds early. The Centaur proceeded to boost the Orbital Cygnus payload, the heaviest on an Atlas to date, into the intended orbit by utilizing its fuel reserves to make up for the shortfall from the first stage. This longer burn cut short a later Centaur disposal burn.<ref>{{cite press |date=March 24, 2016 |url=http://spaceflightnow.com/2016/03/24/atlas-5-rocket-forced-to-improvise-during-tuesdays-climb-to-orbit/ |title=Atlas 5 forced to improvise during Tuesday’s climb to orbit |publisher=SpaceflightNow|}}</ref> On December 5, 2015, Atlas V lifted its heaviest payload to date into orbit—a {{convert|16517|lb|kg|adj=on}} - [[Cygnus spacecraft|Cygnus resupply craft]].<ref>{{Cite web|title = Atlas 5 rocket sends Cygnus in hot pursuit of space station {{!}} Spaceflight Now|url = http://spaceflightnow.com/2015/12/06/atlas-5-rocket-sends-cygnus-in-hot-pursuit-of-space-station/|accessdate = 2015-12-07|first = Justin|last = Ray}}</ref> ==Successor== The [[Vulcan (rocket)|'''Vulcan''' rocket]] is the intended replacement for all three of ULA's currently flying rockets, the Atlas V, [[Delta II]], and [[Delta IV]].<ref>{{cite news |url= http://spacenews.com/ulas-next-rocket-to-be-named-vulcan/ |publisher= Space News |title= ULA’s Next Rocket To Be Named Vulcan |date= 13 April 2015 |author= Mike Gruss }}</ref> In September 2014, ULA announced that it has entered into a partnership with [[Blue Origin]] to develop the [[BE-4]] [[LOX]]/[[Liquid methane|methane]] engine to replace the RD-180 on a new [[booster (rocketry)|first stage booster]]. As the Atlas V core is designed around RP-1 fuel and cannot be retrofitted to use a methane-fueled engine, a new first stage must be developed. This booster will be derived from the first stage tankage of the Delta IV, using two of the {{convert|550000|lbf|kN|disp=flip|adj=on|lk=on}}-thrust BE-4 engines.<ref name=sn20140917>{{cite news |last1=Ferster|first1=Warren |title=ULA To Invest in Blue Origin Engine as RD-180 Replacement |url=http://www.spacenews.com/article/launch-report/41901ula-to-invest-in-blue-origin-engine-as-rd-180-replacement |date=2014-09-17 |work=Space News |accessdate=2014-09-19}}</ref><ref name="Mike Gruss">{{cite news |url= http://spacenews.com/ulas-vulcan-rocket-to-be-rolled-out-in-stages/ |publisher= Space News |title= ULA’s Vulcan Rocket To be Rolled out in Stages |date= 13 April 2015 |author= Mike Gruss }}</ref><ref name=aw2015-05-11>{{cite news |first=Amy |last=Butler |url=http://aviationweek.com/space/industry-team-hopes-resurrect-atlas-v-post-rd-180 |title=Industry Team Hopes To Resurrect Atlas V Post RD-180 |work=[[Aviation Week & Space Technology]] |date=11 May 2015 |accessdate=12 May 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512205445/http://aviationweek.com/space/industry-team-hopes-resurrect-atlas-v-post-rd-180 |archive-date=12 May 2015 |deadurl=no}}</ref> The engine is already in its third year of development by Blue Origin, and ULA expects the new stage and engine to start flying no earlier than 2019. Vulcan will initially use the same [[Centaur (rocket stage)|Centaur]] upper stage as on Atlas V, later to be upgraded to [[Advanced Cryogenic Evolved Stage|ACES]].<ref name="Mike Gruss"/> It will also use a variable number of optional solid rocket boosters, called the [[Graphite-Epoxy Motor|GEM 63XL]], derived from the new solid boosters planned for Atlas V.<ref name="Jason Rhian"/> ==Photo gallery== <gallery> File:Atlas V rocket raised.jpg|Core stage of an Atlas V being raised to a vertical position File:Boeing X-37B inside payload fairing before launch.jpg|[[Boeing X-37|X-37B]] OTV-1 (Orbital Test Vehicle) being encased in its payload fairing for its April 22, 2010 launch. File:Mars Science Laboratory Atlas V rocket AV-028 rollout to SLC-41.jpg|An Atlas V 541 is moved to the launch pad File:TDRS-L on launch pad.jpg|Atlas V 401 on launch pad File:Atlas V Ignition for TDRS-L Launch.jpg|Atlas V ignition File:New Horizons launch.jpg|An Atlas V 551 with the [[New Horizons]] probe launches from Launch Pad 41 in [[Cape Canaveral]] </gallery> ==See also==<!-- Please respect alphabetical order --> {{Wikinews|NASA launches two space probes to the moon}} '''Comparable rockets:''' * [[Angara (rocket)|Angara]] * [[Ariane 5]] * [[Long March 5|Chang Zheng 5]] * [[Delta IV]] * [[Falcon 9]] * [[Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle Mk III]] * [[H-IIA]] * [[H-IIB]] * [[Proton (rocket)|Proton]] * [[Zenit rocket|Zenit]] * [[Comparison of orbital launchers families]] * [[Comparison of orbital launch systems]] ==References== {{Reflist|30em|refs= <ref name=aerojet-aj60a>{{cite web |title=Atlas V Solid Rocket Motor |url=http://www.rocket.com/atlas-v-solid-rocket-motor |publisher=Aerojet Rocketdyne |accessdate=2015-06-02}}</ref> }} ==External links== {{Commons|Atlas (rocket)|Atlas}} * [http://www.ulalaunch.com/site/pages/Products_AtlasV.shtml ULA Atlas V data sheets] ** [http://www.ulalaunch.com/uploads/docs/Atlas500_Cutaway.pdf Atlas 500 series cutaway] ** [http://www.ulalaunch.com/uploads/docs/Atlas400_Cutaway.pdf Atlas 400 series cutaway] * [http://www.lockheedmartin.com/us/products/atlas.html Lockheed Martin: Atlas Launch Vehicles] * [http://www.astronautix.com/lvs/atlasv.htm Encyclopedia Astronautica: Atlas V] * [http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/atlas5.html Space Launch Report: Atlas 5 Data Sheet] {{Navboxes |list = {{Atlas rockets}} {{Orbital launch systems}} {{US launch systems}} {{RD-170 rocket engine family}} {{Lockheed Martin}} {{USAF equipment}} }} [[Category:Expendable space launch systems]] [[Category:Lockheed Martin space launch vehicles]] [[Category:United Launch Alliance]] [[Category:Atlas (rocket family)]]'