Ula Atlas V

Atlas V is a two-stage American medium-to-heavy launch vehicle comprising a liquid-fuelled Common Core Booster (RP-1/LOX, RD-180 engine) paired with a cryogenic Centaur upper stage (LH2/LOX). The vehicle flew in multiple configurations (designator: fairing diameter, solid rocket booster count, Centaur engine count), ranging from the 401 (no boosters, 4.2 m fairing) to the 551 (five strap-on solid boosters, 5.4 m fairing). Payload to low Earth orbit varies by configuration from 9,797 kg (401) to 18,814 kg (551)^[1]. No single dedicated SSO figure is available across configurations. Atlas V first flew on 21 August 2002^[1] and completed its final flight on 29 May 2026^[2], accumulating 109 flights with 108 successes^[1].

Atlas V carried a wide range of civil Earth observation missions, including Landsat 8^[3], Landsat 9, WorldView-3, WorldView-4, and JPSS-2^[4]. Launches were conducted from Cape Canaveral SLC-41 and, until 2022, Vandenberg SLC-3^[1]. The vehicle is retired; production ended in 2024.^[2]