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Proposed Atlas

Launch vehicle · USA

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

WS-107
WS-107
WS-107 Concept 1. Before the Tea Pot report, Atlas was to have five thrust chambers and double the throw weight.
Credit: Ronald Wade

American orbital launch vehicle. The April 1953 design for the Atlas at the time of Convair's proposal used five main engines to power a 200 metric tone rocket able to send a 1400 kg nuclear warhead over a 10,200 km range. CEP was 1850 m.

Maximum range: 10,200 km (6,300 mi). CEP: 0.46 km (0.28 mi).

Country
USA
Agency
Convair

Chronology

3 events

During 1952

LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Proposed Atlas.
  • Reduced thermonuclear warhead size will allow American ICBM's to be smaller. - . Nation: USA. Atlas 3000-pound warhead anticipated, 1500-foot CEP.

Spring 1953

LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Proposed Atlas.
  • Atlas size reduced. - . Nation: USA. Atlas 12-foot diameter, 110 feet long, 440,000 pounds, 3000-pound warhead, 5500 nautical mile range, 1500-foot CEP.

1954 March

LV Family: Atlas. Launch Vehicle: Proposed Atlas.
  • First Atlas hardware. - . Nation: USA. 12-foot diameter Atlas tank completed by Solar.