# Atlas-Agena

> American expendable launch system

**Wikidata**: [Q22938](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q22938)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas-Agena)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atlas-agena

## Summary
Atlas-Agena was an American expendable launch system developed by Convair, combining the SM-65D Atlas rocket with the Agena upper stage. It was used primarily for military and scientific missions, including satellite launches and lunar orbiters.

## Key Facts
- **Class**: Expendable launch vehicle
- **Manufacturer**: Convair
- **Country of Origin**: United States
- **Has Parts**: SM-65D Atlas (rocket stage), RM-81 Agena (upper stage)
- **Variants**: Atlas-Agena A, Atlas-Agena B, Atlas-Agena D
- **Instance of**: Rocket family
- **Subclass of**: Expendable launch vehicle
- **Aliases**: Sistema de propulsion, アトラス-アジェナD
- **Wikipedia Title**: Atlas-Agena
- **Commons Category**: Atlas Agena

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Atlas-Agena used for?
A: The Atlas-Agena was primarily used for military and scientific missions, including satellite launches and the Lunar Orbiter program.

### Q: Who manufactured the Atlas-Agena?
A: The Atlas-Agena was manufactured by Convair, an American aerospace company.

### Q: What are the main components of the Atlas-Agena?
A: The system consisted of the SM-65D Atlas rocket and the RM-81 Agena upper stage.

### Q: How many variants of the Atlas-Agena were there?
A: There were three main variants: Atlas-Agena A, Atlas-Agena B, and Atlas-Agena D.

### Q: What was the significance of the Atlas-Agena in space exploration?
A: The Atlas-Agena was used to launch the Lunar Orbiter missions, which provided detailed images of the Moon's surface before the Apollo landings.

## Why It Matters
The Atlas-Agena played a crucial role in early space exploration and military satellite deployment. Its combination of the powerful Atlas rocket and the versatile Agena upper stage made it a versatile launch system. The system was instrumental in the Lunar Orbiter program, which provided high-resolution images of the Moon's surface, aiding the planning of the Apollo missions. Its reliability and performance made it a key player in the U.S. space program during the Cold War era.

## Notable For
- **Lunar Orbiter Missions**: Launched five Lunar Orbiter spacecraft to map the Moon's surface.
- **Military Satellites**: Deployed numerous military and reconnaissance satellites.
- **Versatile Design**: Combined the Atlas rocket's power with the Agena's precision for various missions.
- **Cold War Era**: Operated during the height of the U.S.-Soviet space race.
- **Precursor to Modern Rockets**: Demonstrated the effectiveness of combining different rocket stages.

## Body
### Overview
The Atlas-Agena was an American expendable launch system developed by Convair. It consisted of the SM-65D Atlas rocket and the RM-81 Agena upper stage, providing a versatile platform for military and scientific missions.

### Variants
The Atlas-Agena had three main variants:
- **Atlas-Agena A**: Early version with basic capabilities.
- **Atlas-Agena B**: Improved version with enhanced performance.
- **Atlas-Agena D**: Final variant with additional features.

### Missions
The Atlas-Agena was used for:
- **Lunar Orbiter Program**: Launched five missions to photograph the Moon's surface.
- **Military Satellites**: Deployed reconnaissance and communication satellites.
- **Scientific Payloads**: Carried experiments and research equipment.

### Technical Specifications
- **Height**: Approximately 60 feet (18 meters).
- **Diameter**: 10 feet (3 meters).
- **Payload Capacity**: Varied depending on mission requirements.

### Significance
The Atlas-Agena was a critical component of early space exploration and military operations. Its successful missions laid the groundwork for future space endeavors.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Atlas-Agena",
  "description": "American expendable launch system combining the SM-65D Atlas rocket and RM-81 Agena upper stage.",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas-Agena"],
  "additionalType": "RocketFamily"
}

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013