Atlas SLV-3/ATDA direct-ascent launch vehicle
Atlas SLV-3/ATDA was the special direct-ascent Atlas configuration prepared after the Gemini IX Agena target vehicle was lost. Air Force launch vehicle TLV-5304 was modified from a standard Atlas SLV-3 to place NASA's Augmented Target Docking Adapter directly into orbit on 1966-06-01; the launch vehicle performed successfully, although the target's payload shroud failed to separate.
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Identity
- Aliases
- Atlas SLV-3 ATDAAtlas TLV-5304 configurationAtlas direct-ascent target launch vehicle
- Family Name
- Atlas SLV-3
- Full Name
- Atlas SLV-3/ATDA direct-ascent launch vehicle
- Status
- retired
- Type
- rocket
- Variant Name
- ATDA direct-ascent
Details
- Description
- Atlas SLV-3/ATDA was the special direct-ascent Atlas configuration prepared after the Gemini IX Agena target vehicle was lost. Air Force launch vehicle TLV-5304 was modified from a standard Atlas SLV-3 to place NASA's Augmented Target Docking Adapter directly into orbit on 1966-06-01; the launch vehicle performed successfully, although the target's payload shroud failed to separate.
- Dimensions
- Diameter M
- 3.05
- First Flight Year
- 1,966
- Last Flight Year
- 1,966
- Manufacturer
- Operator
- Parent Vehicle Family
- Rocket Specs
- Reusability
- expendable
- Strap On Boosters Count
- 0
Links
- Official Url
- https://www.nasa.gov/history/SP-4002/p3b.htm
Assets & Meta
- Creation Time
- July 18, 2026 at 20:32:37 UTC
- Updated Time
- July 19, 2026 at 09:40:35 UTC
- Image
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Other
- Search Name
- Atlas SLV-3/ATDA direct-ascent launch vehicle Atlas SLV-3 ATDA Atlas TLV-5304 configuration Atlas direct-ascent target launch vehicle