Atlas Unflown - friznit/Unofficial-BDB-Wiki GitHub Wiki
Background
Over the course of its long life, there have been many proposed Atlas designs that were never developed. Some are essentially early concepts for launch vehicles that flew many years later. Designs changed a lot over time so a degree of artistic license is encouraged when building these rockets.
Tags: Bossart, SLV3X, CELV
Variants
| Launch Vehicle | Boosters | Sustainer | Core Tank | Extension | Upper Stage | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atlas Vega | LR89-5 | LR105-5 | D | SLV-3B | Vejur | Optional JPL6K Third Stage |
| Atlas Vega Mercury | LR89-5 | LR105-5 | D | SLV-3B | Vejur | Hermes Lab & Crew Capsule |
| Atlas II-B | SR56-OBA | None | 2 | 2 + SLV-3B | Inon 2 | D White Skirt |
| Atlas SLV-3X | LR89-7 | H-1D (1973) | SLV-3X (No Vernier) | SLV-3X | Inon D | D Silver Skirt |
| Atlas SLV-3XA | LR89-7 | H-1D (1973) | SLV-3X (No Vernier) | 2x 2.5m Short | Agena D | Titan 3B Interstage |
| Atlas XB-65 | XLR-89 x4 | XLR-105 | SLV-3X (Vernier) | SLV-3X + Short | Atlas A Nosecone | 2.5m Booster Skirt |
| Atlas SLV-3K | H-1D x4 | H-1D (1973) | SLV-3X (No Vernier) | SLV-3X | Inon D | D Silver Skirt |
| Atlas CELV | H-1D x4 | H-1D | SLV-3X | SLV-3X | Inon G'/T | Prometheus 3.125m Fairing |
Basic Build Guide
Atlas-Vega is a variant of Atlas LV3-C with a Vega (BDB Vejur) second stage powered by a Vanguard (BDB Viklun) first stage engine. In the three stage variant, a JPL 6K stage taken from Juno IV (BDB Chryslus) can be added. Vega is a drop in replacement for Centaur and uses the same interstage and fairing base under the avionics unit.
The SLV-3X designation is reused often to refer to experimental designs. The 1970 SLV-3X is a "fat" Atlas SLV-3C with expanded 2.5m diameter (KSP Scale) first stage tanks and an H-1D sustainer engine in place of the LR105-7. A roll control system on the interstage is used in place of verniers. SLV-3XA has an extended tank with a Titan 3B interstage housing Agena D.
XB-65 is an early five engine concept boosted by 4x XLR-89 engines and a single XLR-105 sustainer.
SLV-3K is an even fatter Atlas with 3.125m diameter tanks boosted by 4x H-1D engines and a single H-1D sustainer topped by a Centaur D-1 and a widened fairing.
Atlas II Centaur G Prime (not to be confused with the later Atlas II that actually flew) was proposed for the USAF Complementary Expendable Launch Vehicle (CELV) competition in 1984. It features a 3.125m diameter first stage powered by 5x H-1D engines and 4x SRB's not dissimilar to the AJ-60A's used on Atlas V.