# Commercial Titan III

> American expendable launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q5152536](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5152536)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commercial_Titan_III)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/commercial-titan-iii

## Summary
The Commercial Titan III was an American expendable launch vehicle and a member of the Titan rocket family, primarily used for launching communications satellites and interplanetary missions between 1990 and 1992. Developed by Martin Marietta, it had a payload capacity of 14,515 kg to low Earth orbit (LEO) and 1,850 kg to geostationary transfer orbit (GTO). The rocket conducted notable missions, including the launch of the Mars Observer spacecraft.

## Key Facts
- **First flight**: January 25, 1990 (carrying the Mars Observer).
- **Retirement**: September 25, 1992.
- **Manufacturer**: Martin Marietta (United States).
- **Payload capacity**: 14,515 kg to LEO, 1,850 kg to GTO.
- **Mass**: 680,000 kg (gross weight).
- **Dimensions**: 47.3 meters in height, 9.2 meters in width.
- **Cost per launch**: $136.6 million (1992).
- **Notable payloads**: Mars Observer, Intelsat 603/604, JCSAT-2.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the first mission of the Commercial Titan III?
A: The Commercial Titan III launched the Mars Observer spacecraft on January 25, 1990, its maiden flight.

### Q: Why was the Commercial Titan III retired?
A: The rocket was retired in 1992 after only four launches due to high operational costs and competition from more cost-effective launch vehicles.

### Q: What were the key specifications of the Commercial Titan III?
A: It stood 47.3 meters tall, had a width of 9.2 meters, and could carry up to 14,515 kg to LEO. Its gross mass was 680,000 kg.

## Why It Matters
The Commercial Titan III played a critical role in launching high-priority missions, including the Mars Observer and several geostationary communications satellites. Despite its short operational lifespan, it demonstrated the capability to deliver heavy payloads to space, contributing to advancements in both interplanetary exploration and global telecommunications. However, its high launch costs limited its competitiveness, leading to its early retirement. The rocket remains notable for its technical achievements and its place in the evolution of the Titan rocket family, which was a cornerstone of U.S. space launch infrastructure for decades.

## Notable For
- **High payload capacity**: Among the most powerful rockets of its era, capable of delivering 14,515 kg to LEO.
- **Interplanetary missions**: Launched the Mars Observer, a pioneering spacecraft designed to study Mars.
- **Commercial focus**: Designed for commercial satellite launches, supporting global communications networks.
- **Short operational period**: Conducted only four launches between 1990 and 1992.
- **Titan family lineage**: A commercial variant of the Titan 34D, leveraging proven rocket technology.

## Body
### Development and Design
The Commercial Titan III was manufactured by Martin Marietta as a commercial derivative of the Titan 34D rocket. It featured two solid rocket boosters (UA1206), a Titan 3B-1 first stage, and a Titan 3B-2 second stage. The vehicle had a gross mass of 680,000 kg and stood 47.3 meters tall with a width of 9.2 meters.

### Launch History
- **Maiden flight**: January 25, 1990 – Successfully launched the Mars Observer.
- **Subsequent missions**:
  - June 29, 1990: Deployed Intelsat 603.
  - January 10, 1992: Launched Intelsat 604.
  - September 25, 1992: Final mission deploying JCSAT-2.
- **Launch site**: All missions originated from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 40.

### Technical Specifications
- **Payload capacity**:
  - Low Earth Orbit (LEO): 14,515 kg.
  - Geostationary Transfer Orbit (GTO): 1,850 kg.
- **Cost**: $136.6 million per launch (1992).
- **Dimensions**: 47.3 m height, 9.2 m width.

### Legacy
Despite its limited flight history, the Commercial Titan III supported critical missions for NASA and commercial satellite operators. Its retirement marked a shift toward more cost-effective launch systems, though its technical legacy endures as part of the broader Titan rocket program.

## Schema Markup
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  "name": "Commercial Titan III",
  "description": "American expendable launch vehicle used for satellite and interplanetary missions from 1990 to 1992.",
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  "countryOfOrigin": "United States",
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  "dateOfFirstLaunch": "1990-01-25",
  "dateOfRetirement": "1992-09-25"
}

## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/c/commercialtitan3.html)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/titan-3_bo.htm)