SM-65D Atlas Vehicle Overview

A complete overview of the SM-65D Atlas launch vehicle, including launch stats, vehicle info and launch locations.

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Basic Info

Name

SM-65D Atlas

Family

Atlas

Manufacturer

First Launch

14 Apr 1959

Successful Launches

6

Failed Launches

3

Rocket Info

Status

Inactive

Stages

1

Length

25.15 m

Diameter

3 m

Launch Mass

119 tons

Thrust

1,880 kN

Reusability

Not Reusable

Payload Info

LEO Capacity

1,400 kg

The SM-65D Atlas, or Atlas D, was the first operational version of the U.S. Atlas missile. Atlas D was first used as an intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) to deliver a nuclear weapon payload on a suborbital trajectory. It was later developed as a launch vehicle to carry a payload to low Earth orbit on its own, and later to geosynchronous orbit, to the Moon, Venus, or Mars with the Agena or Centaur upper stage.

Launch Sites used by SM-65D Atlas

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station

Cape Canaveral Space Force Station launch site

Historic U.S. military rocket launch site, pivotal in space exploration and national security.

📍 FL, United States
🚀 986 Launches

Upcoming Launches

Vandenberg SFB

Vandenberg SFB launch site

U.S. Space Force facility in California for spacecraft launches and missile testing.

📍 CA, United States
🚀 795 Launches

Upcoming Launches