AeroVia LogoAeroVia
Back to Vehicle Families

Atlas V 551

Atlas V 551 is the configuration with a five-meter payload fairing, five strap-on solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. It first flew on 2006-01-19; 23 vehicles have flown through 2026-07-02.

Atlas V 551
Follow this vehicle family

Future launches and major activity directly linked to this vehicle family.

Identity

Family Name
Atlas V
Full Name
Atlas V 551
Status
retired
Type
rocket
Variant Name
551

Details

Description
Atlas V 551 is the configuration with a five-meter payload fairing, five strap-on solid rocket boosters, and a single-engine Centaur upper stage. It first flew on 2006-01-19; 23 vehicles have flown through 2026-07-02.
Dimensions
Diameter
…
First Flight Year
2,006
Last Flight Year
2,026
Manufacturer
Operator
Parent Vehicle Family
Propulsion Configurations
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      Single RD-180 engine system on the Atlas common-core booster.
    • Count
      5
      Placement
      booster
      Propulsion System
      Role
      booster
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      Five Aerojet AJ-60A solid rocket boosters on the AEHF-4-era 551 configuration.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      Single RL10C-1 engine on the Centaur upper stage.
    Name
    Atlas V 551 AEHF-4 propulsion
    Notes
    The AEHF-4-era 551 uses one RD-180, five Aerojet AJ-60A solid rocket boosters, and one RL10C-1 on the Centaur upper stage.
  • Entries
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      core
      Propulsion System
      Role
      main
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      Single RD-180 engine system on the Atlas common-core booster.
    • Count
      5
      Placement
      booster
      Propulsion System
      Role
      booster
      Stage
      first-stage
      Variant Notes
      Five GEM 63 solid rocket boosters on the 2021 STP-3 551 configuration.
    • Count
      1
      Placement
      upper
      Propulsion System
      Role
      upper-stage
      Stage
      second-stage
      Variant Notes
      Single RL10C-1 engine on the Centaur upper stage.
    Name
    Atlas V 551 STP-3 propulsion
    Notes
    The STP-3-era 551 uses one RD-180, five GEM 63 solid rocket boosters, and one RL10C-1 on the Centaur upper stage.
Rocket Specs
Reusability
expendable
Stages Count
2

Links

Official Url
https://www.ulalaunch.com/rockets/atlas-v

Assets & Meta

Creation Time
July 16, 2026 at 20:38:37 UTC
Updated Time
August 1, 2026 at 07:44:21 UTC
Image
Download