List of Atlas launches (1957–1959)

Launch statistics

Rocket configurations

5
10
15
20
25
30
  •   Atlas-Able
  •   Atlas A
  •   Atlas B
  •   Atlas C
  •   Atlas D

Launch sites

5
10
15
20
25
30
1957
1958
1959
  •   Cape Canaveral LC-11
  •   Cape Canaveral LC-12
  •   Cape Canaveral LC-13
  •   Cape Canaveral LC-14
  •   Vandenberg LC-576A

Launch outcomes

5
10
15
20
25
30
1957
1958
1959
  •   Success
  •   Partial failure
  •   Failure

1957
Date/Time
(UTC)		 Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1957-06-11
19:37		 Atlas A 4A CCAFS LC-14 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Maiden flight of Atlas A. Thrust section overheating and high vibration levels led to propulsion system failure. RSO T+50 seconds.
1957-09-25
19:57		 Atlas A 6A CCAFS LC-14 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Thrust section overheating and high vibration levels led to propulsion system failure. RSO T+63 seconds.
1957-12-17
17:39		 Atlas A 12A CCAFS LC-14 ICBM test Suborbital Success

1958
Date/Time
(UTC)		 Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1958-01-10
15:48		 Atlas A 10A CCAFS LC-12 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1958-02-07
19:37		 Atlas A 13A CCAFS LC-14 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Vernier feedback transducer short lead to missile tumbling and engine shutdown. Missile self-destructed T+164 seconds.
1958-02-20
17:46		 Atlas A 11A CCAFS LC-12 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Vernier feedback transducer short lead to missile tumbling and engine shutdown. Missile self-destructed T+126 seconds.
1958-04-05
17:01		 Atlas A 15A CCAFS LC-14 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Turbopump failure T+105 seconds. Missile remained structurally intact until impacting the ocean.
1958-06-03
21:28		 Atlas A 16A CCAFS LC-12 ICBM test Suborbital Success Final flight of Atlas A
1958-07-19
17:36		 Atlas B 3B CCAFS LC-11 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Maiden flight of Atlas B. Yaw gyro failure resulted in loss of control. Missile self-destructed T+43 seconds.
1958-08-02
22:16		 Atlas B 4B CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1958-08-29
04:30		 Atlas B 5B CCAFS LC-11 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1958-09-14
05:24		 Atlas B 8B CCAFS LC-14 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1958-09-18
21:27		 Atlas B 6B CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Turbopump failure resulted in booster engine shutdown T+80 seconds. Missile destroyed itself T+82 seconds.
1958-11-18
04:00		 Atlas B 9B CCAFS LC-11 ICBM test Suborbital Partial failure Excessive fuel consumption due to mismatched turbopumps resulted in premature sustainer cutoff. Planned range not achieved.
1958-11-29
02:27		 Atlas B 12B CCAFS LC-14 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1958-12-18
23:02		 Atlas B 10B CCAFS LC-11 SCORE Comsat LEO Success First use of an Atlas vehicle for a space launch.
1958-12-24
04:45		 Atlas C 3C CCAFS LC-12 ICBM test Suborbital Success Maiden flight of Atlas C

1959
Date/Time
(UTC)		 Rocket S/N Launch Site Payload Function Orbit Outcome Remarks
1959-01-16
04:00		 Atlas B 13B CCAFS LC-14 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Unexplained control and propulsion system difficulties starting at T+100 seconds, followed by engine shutdown T+121 seconds. No T/M aboard missile.
1959-01-27
23:34		 Atlas C 4C CCAFS LC-12 ICBM test Suborbital Partial failure Guidance system failure T+80 seconds, however the flight control system kept the missile on course. Reentry vehicle not recovered.
1959-02-04
08:01		 Atlas B 11B CCAFS LC-11 ICBM test Suborbital Success Final flight of Atlas B
1959-02-20
05:38		 Atlas C 5C CCAFS LC-12 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Fuel staging disconnect valve failed to close at booster jettison, resulting in loss of tank pressure. Missile destroyed itself T+172 seconds.
1959-03-19
00:59		 Atlas C 7C CCAFS LC-12 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Electrical glitches caused guidance system failure and premature booster engine shutdown, leading to unstable flight trajectory. RVX-2A reentry vehicle not recovered.
1959-04-14
21:46		 Atlas D 3D CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Maiden 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.
1959-05-19
04:30		 Atlas D 7D CCAFS LC-14 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Launcher hold-down arm malfunction damaged missile at liftoff, causing loss of tank pressure during ascent. Missile destroyed itself T+64 seconds.
1959-06-06
17:39		 Atlas D 5D CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Failure Fuel staging disconnect valve failed to close at booster jettison, resulting in loss of tank pressure. Missile destroyed itself T+157 seconds.
1959-07-21
05:22		 Atlas C 8C CCAFS LC-12 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1959-07-29
04:10		 Atlas D 11D CCAFS LC-11 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1959-08-11
18:01		 Atlas D 14D CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1959-08-24
15:53		 Atlas C 11C CCAFS LC-12 ICBM test Suborbital Success Final 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.
1959-09-09
08:19		 Atlas D 10D CCAFS LC-14 Big Joe 1 Mercury test Suborbital Partial failure Booster jettison failed due to bad electrical contacts. Planned range not achieved. Boilerplate Mercury capsule successfully recovered.
1959-09-09
17:50:42		 Atlas D 12D VAFB LC-576A-2 ICBM test Suborbital Success First Atlas launch from Vandenberg
1959-09-17
02:09		 Atlas D 17D CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1959-10-06
05:55		 Atlas D 18D CCAFS LC-11 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1959-10-10
03:10		 Atlas D 22D CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1959-10-29
07:20		 Atlas D 26D CCAFS LC-11 ICBM test Suborbital Partial failure One vernier shut down at staging due to a ruptured LOX duct. Roll control lost, missile impacted short of its intended range.
1959-11-04
21:37		 Atlas D 28D CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Partial failure Short in impact predictor system leads to Range Safety Officer issuing erroneous manual cutoff command T+274 seconds. Missile impacted short of its intended range.
1959-11-24
19:48		 Atlas D 15D CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1959-11-26
07:26		 Atlas-Able 20D CCAFS LC-14 Pioneer P-3 Lunar probe HEO (target) Failure 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.
1959-12-09
00:10		 Atlas D 31D CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Success
1959-12-19
00:48		 Atlas D 40D CCAFS LC-13 ICBM test Suborbital Success First use of a "dry" engine start on an Atlas (igniter activated prior to propellant injection)

References
    • McDowell, Jonathan. "Atlas". Orbital and Suborbital launch database. Jonathan's Space Page. Retrieved 2009-04-19.
    • Wade, Mark. "Atlas". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Retrieved 2009-04-19.

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