The Atlas-Able was an American expendable launch system derived from the SM-65 Atlas missile. It was a member of the Atlas family of rockets, and was used to launch several Pioneer spacecraft towards the Moon. Of the five Atlas-Able rockets built, two failed during static firings, and the other three failed to reach orbit.
The Atlas-Able was a three-and-a-half-stage rocket, with a stage-and-a-half Atlas missile as the first stage, an Able second stage, and an Altair third stage.
The first Atlas-Able used an Atlas C as the first stage, and was intended to carry Pioneer P-1, but exploded during a static fire test on 24 September 1959.
The remaining Pioneer launches used Atlas D missiles. Launches were conducted from Launch Complexes 12 and 14 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. One launch was planned from Launch Complex 13; this became the second Atlas-Able to be destroyed during a static firing, and hence never launched.
Launches +Launches of Atlas-AbleDateSerial No.MissionLaunch siteOutcomePhoto -Atlas 9CPioneer P-1LC-12Failure. Explosion during a static fire test.26 November 1959Atlas 20DPioneer P-3LC-14Failure. The payload fairing broke up at 45 seconds after liftoff, causing loss of the upper stage and payload.25 September 1960Atlas 80DPioneer P-30LC-12Failure. A propellant feed on the second stage had a malfunction.15 December 1960Atlas 91DPioneer P-31LC-12Failure. Vibration and/or debris from the Able adapter section ruptured the liquid oxygen tank of Atlas, causing an explosion.
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