SM-65A Atlas
Encyclopedia
The SM-65A Atlas, or Atlas A, also designated X-11
was the first full-scale prototype of the Atlas missile, which first flew on 11 June 1957. Unlike later versions of the Atlas missile, the Atlas A did not feature the stage and a half design. Instead, the booster engines were fixed in place, and the sustainer engine was omitted.
The Atlas A conducted eight test flights, of which four were successful. All test flights were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
, at either Launch Complex 12
or Launch Complex 14
.
X-plane
The X-planes are a series of experimental United States airplanes and helicopters used for the testing and evaluation of new technologies and aerodynamic concepts...
was the first full-scale prototype of the Atlas missile, which first flew on 11 June 1957. Unlike later versions of the Atlas missile, the Atlas A did not feature the stage and a half design. Instead, the booster engines were fixed in place, and the sustainer engine was omitted.
The Atlas A conducted eight test flights, of which four were successful. All test flights were conducted from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
, at either Launch Complex 12
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 12
Launch Complex 12 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida is a launch pad used by Atlas rockets and missiles between 1958 and 1967. It is the second-most southern of the pads known as missile row, between LC-11 to the south and LC-13 to the north...
or Launch Complex 14
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station Launch Complex 14
Launch Complex 14 is a launch site at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida. LC-14 was used for various manned and unmanned Atlas launches, including the Friendship 7 flight aboard which John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth....
.
Launch history
| Date | Time (GMT) | Pad | Serial | Apogee | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1957-06-11 | 19:37 | LC-14 | 4A | 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) | Failure |
| 1957-09-25 | 19:57 | LC-14 | 6A | 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) | Failure |
| 1957-12-17 | 17:39 | LC-14 | 12A | 120 kilometres (74.6 mi) | Success |
| 1958-01-10 | 15:48 | LC-12 | 10A | 120 kilometres (74.6 mi) | Success |
| 1958-02-07 | 19:37 | LC-14 | 13A | 120 kilometres (74.6 mi) | Failure |
| 1958-02-20 | 17:46 | LC-12 | 11A | 90 kilometres (55.9 mi) | Failure |
| 1958-04-05 | 17:01 | LC-14 | 15A | 100 kilometres (62.1 mi) | Success |
| 1958-06-03 | 21:28 | LC-12 | 16A | 120 kilometres (74.6 mi) | Success |