Launch statistics
Rocket configurations
Launch sites
Launch outcomes
1957 Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks1957-06-1119:37Atlas A4ACCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalMaiden flight of Atlas A. Thrust section overheating and high vibration levels led to propulsion system failure. RSO T+50 seconds.1957-09-2519:57Atlas A6ACCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalThrust section overheating and high vibration levels led to propulsion system failure. RSO T+63 seconds.1957-12-1717:39Atlas A12ACCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbital
1958 Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks1958-01-1015:48Atlas A10ACCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbital1958-02-0719:37Atlas A13ACCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalVernier feedback transducer short lead to missile tumbling and engine shutdown. Missile self-destructed T+164 seconds.1958-02-2017:46Atlas A11ACCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalVernier feedback transducer short lead to missile tumbling and engine shutdown. Missile self-destructed T+126 seconds.1958-04-0517:01Atlas A15ACCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalTurbopump failure T+105 seconds. Missile remained structurally intact until impacting the ocean.1958-06-0321:28Atlas A16ACCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalFinal flight of Atlas A1958-07-1917:36Atlas B3BCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalMaiden flight of Atlas B. Yaw gyro failure resulted in loss of control. Missile self-destructed T+43 seconds.1958-08-0222:16Atlas B4BCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbital1958-08-2904:30Atlas B5BCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbital1958-09-1405:24Atlas B8BCCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbital1958-09-1821:27Atlas B6BCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalTurbopump failure resulted in booster engine shutdown T+80 seconds. Missile destroyed itself T+82 seconds.1958-11-1804:00Atlas B9BCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalExcessive fuel consumption due to mismatched turbopumps resulted in premature sustainer cutoff. Planned range not achieved.1958-11-2902:27Atlas B12BCCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbital1958-12-1823:02Atlas B10BCCAFS LC-11SCOREComsatLEOFirst use of an Atlas vehicle for a space launch.1958-12-2404:45Atlas C3CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalMaiden flight of Atlas C
1959 Date/Time(UTC) Rocket S/N Launch site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks1959-01-1604:00Atlas B13BCCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalUnexplained control and propulsion system difficulties starting at T+100 seconds, followed by engine shutdown T+121 seconds. No T/M aboard missile.1959-01-2723:34Atlas C4CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalGuidance system failure T+80 seconds, however the flight control system kept the missile on course. Reentry vehicle not recovered.1959-02-0408:01Atlas B11BCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalFinal flight of Atlas B1959-02-2005:38Atlas C5CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalFuel staging disconnect valve failed to close at booster jettison, resulting in loss of tank pressure. Missile destroyed itself T+172 seconds.1959-03-1900:59Atlas C7CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalElectrical glitches caused guidance system failure and premature booster engine shutdown, leading to unstable flight trajectory. RVX-2A reentry vehicle not recovered.1959-04-1421:46Atlas D3DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalMaiden flight of Atlas D. LOX fill/drain valve failed to close at liftoff, leading to booster section explosion T+26 seconds. RSO T+36 seconds.1959-05-1904:30Atlas D7DCCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalLauncher hold-down arm malfunction damaged missile at liftoff, causing loss of tank pressure during ascent. Missile destroyed itself T+64 seconds.1959-06-0617:39Atlas D5DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalFuel staging disconnect valve failed to close at booster jettison, resulting in loss of tank pressure. Missile destroyed itself T+157 seconds.1959-07-2105:22Atlas C8CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbital1959-07-2904:10Atlas D11DCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbital1959-08-1118:01Atlas D14DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbital1959-08-2415:53Atlas C11CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalFinal flight of Atlas C. RVX-1 reentry vehicle equipped with a camera package photographed the Earth and was recovered after a 250-mile suborbital lob.1959-09-0908:19Atlas D10DCCAFS LC-14Big Joe 1Mercury testSuborbitalBooster jettison failed due to bad electrical contacts. Planned range not achieved. Boilerplate Mercury capsule successfully recovered.1959-09-0917:50:42Atlas D12DVAFB LC-576A-2ICBM testSuborbitalFirst Atlas launch from Vandenberg1959-09-1702:09Atlas D17DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbital1959-10-0605:55Atlas D18DCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbital1959-10-1003:10Atlas D22DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbital1959-10-2907:20Atlas D26DCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalOne vernier shut down at staging due to a ruptured LOX duct. Roll control lost, missile impacted short of its intended range.1959-11-0421:37Atlas D28DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalShort in impact predictor system leads to Range Safety Officer issuing erroneous manual cutoff command T+274 seconds. Missile impacted short of its intended range.1959-11-2419:48Atlas D15DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbital1959-11-2607:26Atlas-Able20DCCAFS LC-14Pioneer P-3Lunar probeHEO (target)Maiden flight of Atlas-Able. Payload fairing broke up at T+45 seconds, leading to loss of the upper stages and payload. Atlas performed normally.1959-12-0900:10Atlas D31DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbital1959-12-1900:48Atlas D40DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalFirst use of a "dry" engine start on an Atlas (igniter activated prior to propellant injection)
References
Main Page List of Atlas launches