# Atlas IIA

> American expendable launch system

**Wikidata**: [Q116027213](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q116027213)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atlas-iia

## Summary
The Atlas IIA was an American expendable launch system developed as part of the Atlas II family of rockets. It was designed to carry medium-lift payloads into orbit and was manufactured by General Dynamics, Martin Marietta, and Lockheed Martin between 1992 and 2002.

## Key Facts
- First flight: June 10, 1992
- Last flight: December 5, 2002
- Manufacturer: General Dynamics (1992-1993), Martin Marietta (1993-1995), Lockheed Martin (1995-2002)
- Country of origin: United States
- Based on: Atlas II
- Instance of: rocket model
- Subclass of: Atlas, medium-lift launch vehicle
- Service retirement: December 5, 2002
- Aliases: Atlas 2A

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Atlas IIA used for?
A: The Atlas IIA was an expendable launch system used to carry medium-lift payloads into orbit, primarily for satellite deployment and other space missions.

### Q: How long was the Atlas IIA in service?
A: The Atlas IIA was in service for approximately 10 years, from its first flight on June 10, 1992, to its last flight on December 5, 2002.

### Q: Who manufactured the Atlas IIA?
A: The Atlas IIA was manufactured by three companies over its production lifetime: General Dynamics (1992-1993), Martin Marietta (1993-1995), and Lockheed Martin (1995-2002).

## Why It Matters
The Atlas IIA represented an important evolution in the Atlas rocket family, providing enhanced capabilities for medium-lift orbital launches. As part of the Atlas II series, it helped bridge the gap between earlier Atlas models and later variants like the Atlas IIAS. The rocket played a significant role in American space launch capabilities during the 1990s and early 2000s, supporting various government and commercial satellite deployments. Its development and operation involved major aerospace companies, contributing to the advancement of launch vehicle technology and maintaining U.S. competitiveness in the global launch market.

## Notable For
- Evolution of the Atlas II family with improved capabilities
- Served as a workhorse for medium-lift orbital launches over a decade
- Involved three major aerospace manufacturers during its production run
- Successfully completed numerous satellite deployment missions
- Represented the transition between early Atlas models and more advanced variants

## Body
### Development and Design
The Atlas IIA was developed as part of the Atlas II family of expendable launch vehicles. It was designed to provide enhanced capabilities compared to its predecessors while maintaining the core Atlas architecture. The rocket incorporated improvements in guidance systems, structural components, and propulsion to increase its payload capacity and reliability.

### Manufacturing History
The production of Atlas IIA involved a transition between major aerospace manufacturers:
- General Dynamics initially produced the rocket from 1992 to 1993
- Martin Marietta took over manufacturing from 1993 to 1995
- Lockheed Martin became the final manufacturer from 1995 to 2002

This transition reflects the consolidation that occurred in the American aerospace industry during this period.

### Technical Specifications
As a medium-lift launch vehicle, the Atlas IIA was capable of placing moderate payloads into low Earth orbit. It was based on the Atlas II design but included specific improvements to enhance its performance characteristics. The rocket utilized the proven Atlas Centaur upper stage configuration, which had been refined over multiple generations of Atlas vehicles.

### Operational History
The Atlas IIA had a service life spanning from 1992 to 2002, during which it completed numerous successful launches. Its operational period coincided with significant developments in satellite technology and the growing commercial space industry. The rocket's reliability and performance made it a trusted choice for both government and commercial customers during this era.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Atlas IIA",
  "description": "American expendable launch system",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_II",
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  "additionalType": "rocket model"
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/atlas_centaur.htm)