# Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D

> model of American expendable launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q115629811](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q115629811)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/atlas-slv-3c-centaur-d

## Summary
The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D was an American expendable launch vehicle developed by Convair, serving as a variant of the Atlas Centaur-D class. It made its first flight on September 8, 1967, and was retired on August 21, 1972, after supporting key NASA missions including lunar landers and planetary probes.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of**: Rocket model
- **Subclass of**: Atlas Centaur-D
- **First flight**: September 8, 1967
- **Manufacturer**: Convair
- **Country of origin**: United States
- **Service retirement**: August 21, 1972
- **Aliases**: Atlas Centaur SLV-3C, Atlas SLV-3C Centaur, Atlas-SLV3C Centaur-D
- **Has parts**: Atlas MA-5, Atlas SLV-3, Centaur

## FAQs
### Q: What was the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D used for?
A: The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D was primarily used to launch NASA missions, including lunar landers like Surveyor 5 and Surveyor 7, as well as the Mars orbiter Mariner 9 and the Pioneer 10 space probe.

### Q: When was the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D first launched?
A: The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D made its first flight on September 8, 1967.

### Q: Who manufactured the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D?
A: The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D was manufactured by Convair.

### Q: What were the key missions launched by the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D?
A: Key missions included Surveyor 5 and Surveyor 7 lunar landers, Mariner 9 Mars orbiter, and Pioneer 10 space probe.

### Q: When was the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D retired?
A: The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D was retired on August 21, 1972.

## Why It Matters
The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D played a crucial role in NASA's early exploration of the Moon and Mars. It successfully launched the Surveyor lunar landers, which provided critical data for the Apollo missions, and the Mariner 9 orbiter, which mapped Mars' surface. The vehicle also supported the Pioneer 10 probe, the first spacecraft to travel through the asteroid belt and study Jupiter. Its retirement marked the end of an era for the Atlas-Centaur family of rockets, which had been instrumental in advancing space exploration during the 1960s and 1970s.

## Notable For
- Successfully launched NASA's Surveyor lunar landers, contributing to the Apollo program's success.
- Supported the Mariner 9 mission, the first spacecraft to orbit Mars.
- Launched the Pioneer 10 probe, the first to study Jupiter and the outer solar system.
- Part of the Atlas-Centaur family, known for its reliability and versatility in early space missions.

## Body
### Overview
The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D was a variant of the Atlas Centaur-D, designed for medium-heavy payloads. It combined the Atlas MA-5 first stage with the Centaur upper stage, providing enhanced capability for interplanetary missions.

### Development and Specifications
- **Development**: Designed and manufactured by Convair, the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D was part of the Atlas-Centaur program, which aimed to provide reliable launch vehicles for NASA's ambitious space exploration goals.
- **Payload Capacity**: Capable of delivering payloads to Earth orbit and beyond, including missions to the Moon and Mars.

### Key Missions
- **Surveyor Program**: Launched Surveyor 5 and Surveyor 7, which successfully soft-landed on the Moon, providing critical data for the Apollo missions.
- **Mariner 9**: The first spacecraft to orbit Mars, providing the first detailed images of the planet's surface.
- **Pioneer 10**: The first spacecraft to travel through the asteroid belt and study Jupiter, marking a milestone in deep space exploration.

### Retirement and Legacy
- **Retirement**: The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D was retired in 1972, marking the end of an era for the Atlas-Centaur family of rockets.
- **Legacy**: The vehicle's missions contributed significantly to NASA's understanding of the Moon, Mars, and the outer solar system, paving the way for future space exploration.

## Schema Markup
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  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Atlas SLV-3C Centaur-D",
  "description": "An American expendable launch vehicle used for NASA missions, including lunar landers and planetary probes.",
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## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/a/atlasslv-3ccentaur.html)