Atlas rocket family
An American rocket family that evolved from the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile into a launch system for crewed spaceflight, satellites, national-security missions and planetary exploration.
Last updated November 4, 2026
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Overview
Atlas is a United States family of ballistic missiles and orbital launch vehicles whose lineage began with the SM-65 Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile. The program was initiated in the 1950s by General Dynamics through its Convair division as Project MX-1593. The name, proposed by engineer Karel Bossart and his team, referred both to the mythological Titan associated with strength and to Convair's former corporate parent, the Atlas Corporation. The original Atlas represented a major departure from conventional missile construction. Its propellant tanks were made from extremely thin stainless steel and relied on internal nitrogen pressure for structural rigidity. When unpressurized and empty, the tanks could collapse under their own weight. The vehicle burned RP-1 kerosene and liquid oxygen and used a distinctive parallel-staging, or “stage-and-a-half,” arrangement. Two outboard booster engines and their supporting structure were discarded during ascent, while the central sustainer engine and the main propellant tank structure continued to flight completion. This approach reduced inert mass while preserving the performance needed for an ICBM. The first successful Atlas test flight took place on December 17, 1957. Approximately 350 missiles were produced, but the weapon had a relatively short operational career. The last Atlas ICBM squadron was removed from alert in 1965. Its military service nevertheless established technologies and hardware that remained useful for decades. Retired missiles were refurbished as orbital boosters, while purpose-built derivatives supported NASA, the United States Air Force, the National Reconnaissance Office, and other government customers. Atlas became especially prominent through Project Mercury. Atlas launch vehicles placed the first four United States astronauts into orbit between 1962 and 1963. On February 20, 1962, an Atlas launched Friendship 7, carrying John Glenn on the first United States crewed orbital flight. Additional Atlas-based vehicles supported Gemini target vehicles, reconnaissance and signals-intelligence spacecraft, weather satellites, navigation satellites, and planetary missions. The Atlas-Agena combination paired the Atlas first stage with the hypergolic-fueled Agena upper stage. It supported military and intelligence missions, NASA's Ranger lunar probes, Mariner planetary spacecraft, and Agena target vehicles used for Gemini rendezvous practice. Atlas-Centaur introduced the liquid-hydrogen-fueled Centaur upper stage and became a principal vehicle for lunar and planetary exploration, including Surveyor lunar landers and numerous Mariner missions. Although the first Atlas-Centaur attempt failed shortly after launch in 1962, the combination matured into an important American launch system. Later generations progressively changed the original architecture. Atlas II retained the Centaur upper stage and flew 63 times from 1991 through 2004. Atlas III replaced the original three-engine, stage-and-a-half arrangement with a single Russian-built RD-180 engine while retaining balloon-tank construction. Atlas V, first launched in 2002, introduced a rigid Common Core Booster, optional solid rocket boosters, and a Centaur upper stage. It was developed by Lockheed Martin under the United States Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, with operations transferred to United Launch Alliance in 2006. Atlas V has served civil, military, scientific, and commercial missions from launch sites in Florida and California. Its dependence on the Russian RD-180 became a strategic and political issue after Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea and subsequent United States legislative restrictions. United Launch Alliance began developing Vulcan with Blue Origin's domestically produced BE-4 engine as the successor architecture. ULA announced in 2021 that Atlas V would be retired after completing its remaining launch contracts. Atlas V therefore represents the final operational stage of a lau…
History
The Atlas family originated in the United States' effort to develop an operational intercontinental ballistic missile during the 1950s. General Dynamics assigned the work to its Convair division under Project MX-1593. Karel Bossart and his engineering team developed a lightweight stainless-steel vehicle whose tanks used internal pressure as structural support. This “balloon tank” approach reduced dry mass but required the vehicle to remain pressurized during handling and flight. The propulsion system burned RP-1 kerosene with liquid oxygen and used two booster engines alongside a central sustainer engine. The boosters were discarded during ascent, producing the distinctive stage-and-a-half configuration. The first successful SM-65 Atlas test occurred on December 17, 1957. The missile was deployed in limited numbers and remained on alert for only a short period compared with later solid-fueled strategic systems. The last operational Atlas squadron was deactivated in 1965, and roughly 350 missiles had been built. Rather than ending the program, retirement from the ICBM role created a supply of proven hardware for orbital missions. Atlas entered the space program almost immediately. In December 1958, an Atlas placed the SCORE communications satellite into orbit without an upper stage. The mission demonstrated that the missile could serve as a practical space launcher and carried a communications payload that relayed a recorded Christmas message from President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Atlas hardware was then adapted for Project Mercury. The Atlas-derived LV-3B launched four crewed Mercury orbital missions from 1962 to 1963. Friendship 7, launched on February 20, 1962, carried John Glenn and made him the first American to orbit Earth. Three subsequent Atlas-Mercury missions expanded the United States' experience with crewed orbital operations. The Atlas-Agena combination extended the vehicle's mission range. Agena upper stages supported reconnaissance and signals-intelligence spacecraft, NASA's Ranger lunar-imaging probes, the Mariner 2 Venus mission, and Gemini Agena target vehicles. These missions made Atlas an important part of both civilian exploration and classified national-security space activity. The Atlas-Centaur program introduced a hydrogen-fueled upper stage and required structural and propulsion improvements to the Atlas core. The first launch attempt in 1962 failed shortly after liftoff, but subsequent development produced a highly useful planetary and lunar launcher. Atlas-Centaur vehicles launched Surveyor lunar landers and many Mariner spacecraft, including missions to Mercury, Venus, and Mars. The family consequently became associated not only with missile-derived launch technology but also with some of the United States' earliest close-up investigations of other worlds. During the 1970s and 1980s, Atlas launch operations narrowed to Centaur vehicles and refurbished missile-derived boosters. Atlas E and Atlas F vehicles were adapted for orbital missions, including launches of the first Block I GPS satellites. The last Atlas E/F mission flew in 1995. The last launch of the original balloon-tank, jettisonable-booster design occurred in 2004, ending the classic Atlas configuration after approximately half a century of service. Atlas II provided a more mature commercial and government launch platform and flew 63 times between 1991 and 2004. Atlas III introduced a single RD-180 engine supplied by NPO Energomash, replacing the earlier three-engine stage-and-a-half arrangement while retaining balloon-tank construction. Atlas V represented a larger redesign. Developed by Lockheed Martin under the Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle program, it used a rigid Common Core Booster, an RD-180 first-stage engine, optional solid rocket boosters, and a Centaur upper stage with one or two RL10 engines. Its first flight took place on August 21, 2002. In 2006, Atlas V operations moved to United Launch Alliance, the Lockheed Martin-Boeing joint venture created to consolidate the companies' United States government launch businesses. Atlas V operated from Cape Canaveral in Florida and Vandenberg in California and served national-security, civil, scientific, and commercial customers. Its RD-180 dependency became increasingly problematic after United States restrictions on Russian engine procurement were enacted in 2014. ULA responded by selecting Blue Origin's BE-4 engine for a new Vulcan vehicle. ULA announced in 2021 that Atlas V would be retired after its remaining contracts were completed. Vulcan's first flight in 2024 marked the beginning of the successor era, while Atlas V remained active during the transition.
- 2026
Atlas V launches Amazon Leo 8
[9]The July 2 flight carried 29 Amazon Leo satellites. ULA reported that Atlas V had delivered 224 satellites across eight Amazon Leo missions by that date.
- 2024
Atlas V flies its final national-security mission
[8]The USSF-51 flight was identified by ULA as the final national-security mission for Atlas V, as the company prepared to use Vulcan for future missions in that category.
- 2024
First Atlas V crewed launch
[7]Atlas V carried NASA astronauts on Boeing’s Starliner Crew Flight Test, extending the vehicle family’s human-spaceflight heritage into a modern commercial crew program.
- 2011
Atlas V launches the Mars Science Laboratory
[15]An Atlas V 541 launched NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission, whose Curiosity rover later landed on Mars.
- 2006
ULA assumes Atlas V operations
[3]Atlas V operations transferred to United Launch Alliance, the Boeing–Lockheed Martin joint venture formed to provide launch services.
- 2006
New Horizons begins its journey to Pluto
[4]Atlas V launched NASA’s New Horizons spacecraft on its journey to Pluto and the Kuiper Belt.
- 2002
Atlas V makes its first flight
[3]Lockheed Martin’s Atlas V, developed under the Air Force EELV program, launched for the first time on August 21, 2002.
- 2000
Atlas III debuts with the RD-180 engine
[4]Atlas III introduced the RD-180 single main engine on an Atlas first stage, a configuration that also shaped Atlas V’s booster design.
- 1991
Atlas II enters service
[14]The first Atlas II flight began a series of upgraded vehicles that served government, scientific and commercial payloads through 2004.
- 1990
Atlas I begins a renewed commercial-launch era
[5]Atlas I’s first flight introduced a new generation and naming system for the commercial and government launch family.
Products and positioning
A heritage American launch-system family associated with high-energy missions, adaptable vehicle configurations and demanding civil, commercial and government payloads. Atlas V has been marketed and operated as a reliable, mission-specific launcher; ULA is transitioning national-security missions to Vulcan while continuing Atlas V commercial flights.
Intercontinental ballistic missile · 1957
SM-65 Atlas
The original Atlas was developed by Convair for the U.S. Air Force as a strategic missile. Its lightweight pressure-stabilized structure and distinctive engine arrangement informed later derivatives. After military use, surplus and modified Atlas vehicles became the basis for early American satellite and crewed-spaceflight launchers.
Lunar and satellite launch vehicle · 1959
Atlas-Able
Atlas-Able combined an Atlas booster with Able upper stages for early space missions, including attempted lunar probes. It represents one of the first efforts to adapt the missile for missions requiring more than a basic Earth-orbit launch. The variant’s early flights contributed to the learning process for American deep-space launch systems.
Satellite and spacecraft launch vehicle · 1960
Atlas-Agena
Atlas-Agena paired Atlas boosters with the Agena upper stage to deliver satellites and spacecraft to orbit. The combination supported military reconnaissance as well as scientific and space-program missions. Agena’s role in rendezvous and docking activities also connected Atlas to the development of on-orbit operations during the Gemini era.
High-energy satellite and planetary launch vehicle · 1963
Atlas-Centaur
Atlas-Centaur paired the Atlas booster with Centaur, an upper stage fueled by liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The higher-energy stage enabled missions to demanding orbits and destinations beyond Earth. The combination launched lunar and planetary spacecraft and established an important design lineage carried forward by later Atlas vehicles.
Commercial and government orbital launch vehicle · 1990
Atlas I
Atlas I was a modernized Atlas-Centaur-era vehicle and the first in the Roman-numeral-named commercial generation. Its updated guidance and control systems supported launches to low Earth orbit, geosynchronous transfer orbit and interplanetary trajectories. It flew from 1990 to 1997 for commercial, scientific and government customers.
Medium-lift orbital launch vehicle · 1991
Atlas II
Atlas II and its IIA and IIAS variants extended the family with increased performance and options for different payload requirements. The series served military communications, commercial satellites and scientific missions. Atlas II vehicles flew from 1991 through 2004, providing a bridge between the earlier commercial Atlas launchers and the newer Atlas III and Atlas V designs.
Orbital launch vehicle · 2000
Atlas III
Atlas III introduced the RD-180 engine on the Atlas first stage and moved away from the older booster-and-sustainer engine arrangement. The family flew in IIIA and IIIB versions and completed six launches between 2000 and 2005. Its propulsion architecture was an important precursor to Atlas V.
Expendable orbital launch vehicle and launch service · 2002
Atlas V
Atlas V is the current Atlas-family launcher, operated by United Launch Alliance. It combines an RD-180-powered Common Core Booster with a Centaur upper stage and can use optional solid rocket boosters and multiple payload-fairing sizes. The system has launched civil, commercial and national-security payloads, planetary probes, experimental spaceplanes and Boeing Starliner. ULA ended its national-security mission assignments in 2024, but Atlas V continued commercial missions, including Amazon Leo launches in 2026.
Controversies
2021
Chatham sues R.R. Donnelley board and Atlas
Chatham filed a lawsuit against the R.R. Donnelley board and Atlas, asking the court to declare the Atlas termination fee and certain other provisions of the merger agreement unenforceable.
2021
Volkswagen recalls Passat and Atlas vehicles over wheel-bearing bolts
Volkswagen's Product Safety Committee decided on October 8 to recall 30 Passat and Atlas vehicles assembled with improperly tightened wheel-bearing bolts. The article says the company was aware of one field claim involving noise from a loose bolt; the remedy is replacement of bolts if a dealership technician finds incorrect wheel-bearing torque.
Brand decisions
2024
Shift future national-security missions from Atlas V to VulcanGeneration changeBackground
ULA’s next-generation Vulcan vehicle entered service as the company prepared to consolidate future national-security launches on the newer system.
Action taken
After the July 30, 2024 USSF-51 launch, ULA identified Atlas V as finished with national-security mission assignments and said future missions in that category would use Vulcan.
Aftermath
Atlas V continued to fly commercial missions after its final national-security launch, including Amazon Leo missions in 2026.
2014
Develop a successor to reduce dependence on the RD-180StrategyBackground
U.S. sanctions and political tensions with Russia intensified concerns about relying on a Russian-made engine for Atlas V, including launches supporting national security.
Action taken
ULA pursued a new launch vehicle to replace the Atlas V and its RD-180-powered booster; the wider U.S. government also sought domestic propulsion options and an orderly transition.
Aftermath
The successor program became Vulcan. Atlas V continued flying with available engines while ULA moved future national-security missions to the newer vehicle.
2006
Transfer Atlas V operations to United Launch AllianceStrategyBackground
The Atlas V program was part of the launch-service businesses brought together under United Launch Alliance, a Boeing–Lockheed Martin joint venture.
Action taken
ULA assumed responsibility for operating Atlas V in 2006.
Aftermath
Atlas V became one of ULA’s principal launch vehicles, serving government and commercial customers until the transition of national-security missions to Vulcan.
2002
Introduce Atlas V under the EELV programProduct launchBackground
The U.S. Air Force’s Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle effort sought modern launch systems for government and commercial payloads.
Action taken
Lockheed Martin developed Atlas V with a modular booster, optional solid rocket boosters and the Centaur upper stage. Its inaugural flight took place on August 21, 2002.
Aftermath
Atlas V became the most recent operational generation of the Atlas family and later served civil, commercial and national-security missions under ULA.
1995
Adopt the RD-180 for the next Atlas generationStrategyBackground
Atlas III and Atlas V development sought higher performance and a modernized first-stage propulsion system. The RD-180 was developed in Russia and selected for the Atlas line.
Action taken
The Atlas III introduced the RD-180, and the engine became the main first-stage engine for Atlas V.
Aftermath
The engine contributed to the Atlas V design, while its foreign supply later became a prominent national-security and policy concern in the United States.
1951
Give the missile program the Atlas nameStrategyBackground
Convair’s Atlas missile effort was officially identified by a project designation, and the design team sought a public-facing name.
Action taken
Karel J. Bossart suggested Atlas, a name approved by the Defense Department’s guided-missile committee in August 1951.
Aftermath
The name persisted as the program expanded from a missile into a family of satellite and space-launch vehicles.
Recent events
- 2026
Atlas V delivers 29 more Amazon Leo satellites[9]
Product launch · Other
On July 2, 2026, Atlas V launched Amazon Leo 8 with 29 broadband satellites. ULA said Atlas V had delivered 224 satellites across the eight Amazon Leo missions it had flown by that date.
- 2026
Mark Peller named ULA president and chief executive officer[11]
Leadership change
ULA named Mark Peller president and CEO in August 2026. Before the appointment, he served as COO with responsibility for Atlas and Vulcan program operations, among other company functions.
- 2024
ULA marks Atlas V's final national-security mission[8]
Product generation · Other
Atlas V launched the USSF-51 mission on July 30, 2024. ULA identified it as the final national-security mission assigned to Atlas V as the company shifted future National Security Space launches to Vulcan.
- 2024
Atlas V launches NASA astronauts aboard Boeing Starliner[7]
Product launch · Other
On June 5, 2024, an Atlas V carried NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams on Boeing’s Starliner Crew Flight Test. The flight was ULA’s first human launch and used a specially adapted Atlas V configuration.
- 2016
Atlas V Centaur anomaly affected the OA-6 Cygnus mission[6]
Other
After the Atlas V launched Orbital ATK’s OA-6 cargo spacecraft, ULA reported that the first-stage cutoff occurred about six seconds earlier than planned. The Centaur upper stage compensated with a longer burn, and the payload reached its desired orbit. ULA opened a review to assess flight and operational data and determine corrective actions.
Sources19 sources
- 1Origins of NASA Names: Atlasnasa.gov
- 250th Anniversary of First Atlas Launchulalaunch.com
- 3Atlas Family History and Flight Recordssc.spaceforce.mil
- 4Atlas V Launch Services User’s Guideulalaunch.com
- 5NASA Historical Data Book: Atlas and Centaur historynasa.gov
- 6Atlas V OA-6 Anomaly Statusulalaunch.com
- 7Atlas V Starliner Crew Flight Testulalaunch.com
- 8ULA Successfully Launches 100th National Security Missionnewsroom.ulalaunch.com
- 9ULA Successfully Delivers 29 Broadband Satellites for Amazon Leonewsroom.ulalaunch.com
- 10Statement from ULA Board Chairs Robert Lightfoot and Kay Searsnewsroom.ulalaunch.com
- 11Mark Peller Named ULA President and Chief Executive Officernewsroom.ulalaunch.com
- 12Congressional Research Service: National Security Space Launchcongress.gov
- 13Atlas launches the SCORE communications satellitenationalmuseum.af.mil
- 14Atlas II enters servicenasa.gov
- 15Atlas V launches the Mars Science Laboratoryulalaunch.com
- 16Chatham sues R.R. Donnelley board and Atlasfinanznachrichten.de
- 17Volkswagen recalls Passat and Atlas vehicles over wheel-bearing boltsautoevolution.com
- 18华为发布计算视觉计划，持续挑战视觉模型等三大问题tech.sina.com.cn
- 19Atlas wins Business Excellence Award 2019 | Colombo Gazettecolombogazette.com
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