The Atlas-Able was an American expendable launch system derived from the SM-65 Atlas missile. It was a member of the Atlas family of rockets, and was used to launch several Pioneer spacecraft towards the Moon. Of the five Atlas-Able rockets built, two failed during static firings, and the other three failed to reach orbit.[1]
 The Atlas-D Able rocket carrying Pioneer P-3, sitting on Cape Canaveral's Launch Complex 14. | |
| Manufacturer | Convair Division of General Dynamics |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Size | |
| Height | 28 m (91 ft) |
| Diameter | 3.05 m (10 ft) |
| Payload to Trans-lunar injection | 170 kg (370 lb) |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites | LC-12, 13 & 14, Cape Canaveral |
| Total launches | 3 |
| Failure(s) | 3 |
| First flight | 26 November 1959 |
| Last flight | 15 December 1960 |
The Atlas-Able was a three-and-a-half-stage rocket, with a stage-and-a-half Atlas missile as the first stage, an Able second stage, and an Altair third stage.[2]
The first Atlas-Able used an Atlas C as the first stage,[3] and was intended to carry Pioneer P-1, but exploded during a static fire test on 24 September 1959.[4]
The remaining Pioneer launches used Atlas D missiles. Launches were conducted from Launch Complexes 12 and 14 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. One launch was planned from Launch Complex 13; this became the second Atlas-Able to be destroyed during a static firing, and hence never launched.[1]
Launches
| Date | Serial No. | Mission | Launch Site | Outcome | Photo | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| - | Atlas 9C | Pioneer P-1 | LC-14 | Failure. Explosion during a static fire test. |  | |
| 26 November 1959 | Atlas 20D | Pioneer P-3 | LC-14 | Failure. The Payload fairing broke up at 45 seconds after liftoff, causing loss of the upper stage and payload.[6] |  | |
| 25 September 1960 | Atlas 80D | Pioneer P-30 | LC-12 | Failure. A propellant feed on the second stage had a malfunction.[7] |  | |
| 15 December 1960 | Atlas 91D | Pioneer P-31 | LC-12 | Failure. Vibration and/or debris from the Able adapter section ruptured the liquid oxygen tank of Atlas, causing an explosion.[8] |  |