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Atlas Agena D at Complex 13 |
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It is July 20th of 1965, and an Atlas Agena D (vehicle ID 225D) lifts off
from Complex 13. Its payload consists of two Vela satellites (3A and 3B). Vela
satellites were used to detect nuclear tests, and were launched specifically to
monitor compliance with treaties such as the 1963 Nuclear Test Ban Treaty. Velas
were always launched in tandem. There were a total of six sets of Velas, and the
last of them operated into the 1980s. The Atlas Agena D (also referred to as
the Atlas LV-3A) is derived from the Atlas SLV-3 used to launch the Gemini Agena
Target Vehicles. The only major difference between the two is an improved upper
(Agena) stage.
| Atlas Agena D specifications
and performance |
| Length |
102 ft. |
Diameter |
10 ft. |
| Stage |
Stage name |
Engine(s) |
Propellant(s) |
Thrust |
| 0 |
Atlas MA-5 |
2 Rocketdyne XLR-89-7 (boosters) |
LOX, RP-1 |
367,000 lbs. |
| 1 |
Atlas Agena SLV-3A |
1 Rocketdyne LR-105-7 (sustainer) +
2 LR-101-NA7 verniers |
LOX, RP-1 |
59,000 lbs. |
| 2 |
Agena D |
1 Bell 8096 |
IRFNA, UMDH |
16,000 lbs. |
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