List of Atlas launches (1957–1959)

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Contents

List of Atlas launches
1957–1959  · 1960–1969  · 1970–1979  · 1980–1989  · 1990–1999  · 2000–2009  · 2010–2019  · 2020–2029

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 SitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
1957-06-11
19:37		 Atlas A 4A CCAFS LC-14 ICBM testSuborbitalFailureMaiden 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 A6ACCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalFailureThrust section overheating and high vibration levels led to propulsion system failure. RSO T+63 seconds.
1957-12-17
17:39		Atlas A12ACCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess

1958

Date/Time
(UTC)		Rocket S/N Launch SitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
1958-01-10
15:48		Atlas A10ACCAFS LC-12 ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1958-02-07
19:37		Atlas A13ACCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalFailureVernier feedback transducer short lead to missile tumbling and engine shutdown. Missile self-destructed T+164 seconds.
1958-02-20
17:46		Atlas A11ACCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalFailureVernier feedback transducer short lead to missile tumbling and engine shutdown. Missile self-destructed T+126 seconds.
1958-04-05
17:01		Atlas A15ACCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalFailureTurbopump failure T+105 seconds. Missile remained structurally intact until impacting the ocean.
1958-06-03
21:28		Atlas A16ACCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalSuccessFinal flight of Atlas A
1958-07-19
17:36		 Atlas B 3BCCAFS LC-11 ICBM testSuborbitalFailureMaiden flight of Atlas B. Yaw gyro failure resulted in loss of control. Missile self-destructed T+43 seconds.
1958-08-02
22:16		Atlas B4BCCAFS LC-13 ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1958-08-29
04:30		Atlas B5BCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1958-09-14
05:24		Atlas B8BCCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1958-09-18
21:27		Atlas B6BCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalFailureTurbopump failure resulted in booster engine shutdown T+80 seconds. Missile destroyed itself T+82 seconds.
1958-11-18
04:00		Atlas B9BCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalPartial failureExcessive fuel consumption due to mismatched turbopumps resulted in premature sustainer cutoff. Planned range not achieved.
1958-11-29
02:27		Atlas B12BCCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1958-12-18
23:02		Atlas B10BCCAFS LC-11 SCORE Comsat LEO SuccessFirst use of an Atlas vehicle for a space launch.
1958-12-24
04:45		 Atlas C 3CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalSuccessMaiden flight of Atlas C

1959

Date/Time
(UTC)		Rocket S/N Launch SitePayloadFunctionOrbitOutcomeRemarks
1959-01-16
04:00		Atlas B13BCCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalFailureUnexplained 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 C4CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalPartial failureGuidance 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 B11BCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalSuccessFinal flight of Atlas B
1959-02-20
05:38		Atlas C5CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalFailureFuel 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 C7CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalFailureElectrical 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 3DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalFailureMaiden 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 D7DCCAFS LC-14ICBM testSuborbitalFailureLauncher 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 D5DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalFailureFuel 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 C8CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-07-29
04:10		Atlas D11DCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-08-11
18:01		Atlas D14DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-08-24
15:53		Atlas C11CCCAFS LC-12ICBM testSuborbitalSuccessFinal 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 D10DCCAFS LC-14 Big Joe 1 Mercury testSuborbitalPartial failureBooster jettison failed due to bad electrical contacts. Planned range not achieved. Boilerplate Mercury capsule successfully recovered.
1959-09-09
17:50:42		Atlas D12D VAFB LC-576A-2 ICBM testSuborbitalSuccessFirst Atlas launch from Vandenberg
1959-09-17
02:09		Atlas D17DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-10-06
05:55		Atlas D18DCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-10-10
03:10		Atlas D22DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-10-29
07:20		Atlas D26DCCAFS LC-11ICBM testSuborbitalPartial failureOne 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 D28DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalPartial failureShort 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 D15DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-11-26
07:26		 Atlas-Able 20DCCAFS LC-14 Pioneer P-3 Lunar probe HEO (target)FailureMaiden 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 D31DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalSuccess
1959-12-19
00:48		Atlas D40DCCAFS LC-13ICBM testSuborbitalSuccessFirst use of a "dry" engine start on an Atlas (igniter activated prior to propellant injection)

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