# Atlas III

> series of American expendable launch system

**Wikidata**: [Q23613](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23613)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Atlas_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atlas-iii

## Summary
The Atlas III was a series of American expendable launch systems developed by Lockheed Martin as part of the Atlas rocket family. It served as a medium-lift launch vehicle capable of placing moderate payloads into low-Earth orbit. The series included two variants: the Atlas IIIA and Atlas IIIB.

## Key Facts
- The Atlas III was developed by Lockheed Martin as part of the Atlas rocket family
- It was classified as a medium-lift launch vehicle capable of placing moderate payloads into low-Earth orbit
- The series consisted of two variants: Atlas IIIA and Atlas IIIB
- It was powered by RD-180 and RL-10A-4-1 engines
- The Atlas III had aliases including Atlas IIAR, Atlas II-AR, Atlas 3, and Atlas 2AR
- It was of United States origin
- The series had 18 sitelinks across various language Wikipedias
- It was documented in the Dictionary of Sydney as artefact/atlas_iii

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Atlas III used for?
A: The Atlas III was an expendable launch system used to place moderate payloads into low-Earth orbit. It was part of the Atlas family of American missiles and space launch vehicles.

### Q: Who manufactured the Atlas III?
A: The Atlas III was manufactured by Lockheed Martin, an American aerospace company.

### Q: What were the variants of the Atlas III?
A: The Atlas III series consisted of two variants: the Atlas IIIA and the Atlas IIIB, both of which were American expendable launch systems.

## Why It Matters
The Atlas III represented an important evolution in the Atlas rocket family, serving as a bridge between earlier Atlas models and the subsequent Atlas V. As a medium-lift launch vehicle, it played a crucial role in America's space launch capabilities during its operational period. The Atlas III incorporated significant technological advancements, including the use of the Russian-built RD-180 engine, which provided improved performance over previous Atlas models. Its development and deployment demonstrated the ongoing evolution of launch vehicle technology and the importance of international cooperation in space exploration. The Atlas III's contributions to space launch capabilities helped maintain America's competitive position in the global space industry and supported various scientific, commercial, and military missions.

## Notable For
- First Atlas rocket to use the Russian-built RD-180 engine
- Served as an intermediate design between Atlas II and Atlas V
- Featured a "normalizer" engine on the Atlas IIIB variant for enhanced performance
- Represented a significant upgrade in payload capacity compared to previous Atlas models
- Demonstrated successful international collaboration in rocket engine technology

## Body
### Development and Design
The Atlas III was developed by Lockheed Martin as part of the Atlas rocket family, representing a significant advancement in launch vehicle technology. The series was designed to provide improved payload capacity and reliability compared to its predecessors.

### Variants
The Atlas III series consisted of two main variants:
- Atlas IIIA: The baseline version of the series
- Atlas IIIB: Featured an additional "normalizer" engine for enhanced performance

### Technical Specifications
- Powerplant: Utilized RD-180 engines for the main stage and RL-10A-4-1 for the Centaur upper stage
- Classification: Medium-lift launch vehicle
- Capability: Designed to place moderate payloads into low-Earth orbit

### Operational History
The Atlas III series was operational during a specific period in the early 2000s, serving as a crucial component of America's launch capabilities. It bridged the gap between the Atlas II series and the subsequent Atlas V, incorporating lessons learned and technological advancements from both.

### Legacy
The Atlas III's development and operational experience directly contributed to the design and success of the Atlas V, which remains in use today. Its incorporation of the RD-180 engine set a precedent for international cooperation in rocket engine technology, a practice that continues in modern launch vehicles.

## References

1. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013