Skip to content
79,433 pages · 13,741 images · since 1994 Browse A–Z Today in space history
Encyclopedia Astronautica The full story of spaceflight
Encyclopedia entry

Atlas Burner 2

Launch vehicle · USA

Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.

American orbital launch vehicle. Atlas SLV-3 + 1 x Star 37B upper stage.

More at: Atlas Burner 2.

Related

Country
USA
Agency
Convair

Chronology

2 events

1968 August 16

20:57 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg SLC3E. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas Burner 2. FAILURE: Failure. Failed Stage: 1.
  • LCS 3 - . Payload: LCS 3. Mass: 37 kg (81 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF, USN. Class: Earth. Type: Ionosphere satellite. Spacecraft: Orbiscal. Decay Date: 1968-08-16 .

    An Atlas/Burner II (SLV-3, #7004), the first Atlas to be launched with a Burner II upper stage, was launched from Space Launch Complex 3 East (SLC-3E) at Vandenberg but failed to place its payload in orbit due to a malfunction of the nose-fairing heat shield separation system. First of two Atlas/Burner II space launches. 1 of 13 satellite launch attempts; investigate effects of ionosphere on radio signals.

  • AVL-802 Rigid Sphere - . Payload: AVL-802. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: Calsphere.

    An Atlas/Burner II (SLV-3, #7004), the first Atlas to be launched with a Burner II upper stage, was launched from Space Launch Complex 3 East (SLC-3E) at Vandenberg but failed to place its payload in orbit due to a malfunction of the nose-fairing heat shield separation system.

  • LIDOS - . Payload: LIDOS. Mass: 37 kg (81 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: Orbiscal.
  • Orbiscal 1 - . Payload: Orbiscal 1. Mass: 37 kg (81 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: Orbiscal.
  • OV5-8 - . Payload: OV5-8. Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: OV5.
  • Radcat - . Payload: Radcat. Mass: 208 kg (458 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: Radcat.
  • RM-18 - . Payload: RM-18. Mass: 46 kg (101 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: RM.
  • AVL-802 Grid Sphere 7-1 - . Payload: AVL-802. Mass: 37 kg (81 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: Orbiscal.
  • EGRS 11 - . Payload: EGRS 11. Mass: 37 kg (81 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: Orbiscal.
  • EGRS 12 - . Payload: EGRS 12. Mass: 37 kg (81 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF AFSC. Spacecraft: Orbiscal.

1972 October 2

20:09 GMT - . Launch Site: Vandenberg. Launch Complex: Vandenberg 576A1. LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Atlas Burner 2.
  • RADCAT - . Payload: Radsat / Radcat / OPS 8180. Mass: 208 kg (458 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: US Army. Class: Technology. Type: Military technology satellite. Spacecraft: RADCAT. Decay Date: 2012-08-02 . USAF Sat Cat: 6212 . COSPAR: 1972-076A. Apogee: 638 km (396 mi). Perigee: 627 km (389 mi). Inclination: 98.60 deg. Period: 97.40 min.

    An Atlas F/Burner IIA launch vehicle, carrying SAMSO's Space Test Program Flight 72-1, was launched from Vandenberg. This was the first use of this booster/upper stage combination. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).

  • Radsat - . Payload: P 72-1 / OPS 8180. Mass: 726 kg (1,600 lb). Nation: USA. Agency: USAF. Class: Technology. Type: Military technology satellite. Spacecraft: Radsat. USAF Sat Cat: 6217 . COSPAR: 1972-076B. Apogee: 705 km (438 mi). Perigee: 688 km (427 mi). Inclination: 98.70 deg. Period: 98.70 min.

    An Atlas F/Burner IIA launch vehicle, carrying SAMSO's Space Test Program Flight 72-1, was launched from Vandenberg. This was the first use of this booster/upper stage combination. Space craft engaged in investigation of spaceflight techniques and technology (US Cat A).