# Titan 23G

> American expendable launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q5918827](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q5918827)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_23G)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/titan-23g

## Summary
Titan 23G is an American expendable launch vehicle derived from the LGM-25C Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile. It was manufactured by Martin Marietta and operated from 1988 to 2003, primarily used for launching various government satellites.

## Key Facts
- American expendable launch vehicle based on the LGM-25C Titan II
- Manufactured by Martin Marietta
- In service from September 5, 1988, to October 18, 2003
- Height of 31.40 meters with a diameter of 3.05 meters
- Gross mass of 154,000 kilograms
- Payload capacity of 3,175 kilograms to low Earth orbit or 2,177 kilograms to polar orbit
- Used Aerozine-50 as fuel and dinitrogen tetroxide as oxidizing agent
- Launched from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 West

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Titan 23G?
A: The Titan 23G was primarily used as an expendable launch vehicle for deploying various government satellites, including weather satellites, defense satellites, and scientific spacecraft.

### Q: How long did the Titan 23G remain in service?
A: The Titan 23G was in service for 15 years, from its first launch on September 5, 1988, until its final launch on October 18, 2003.

### Q: What notable satellites were launched by the Titan 23G?
A: The Titan 23G launched several important satellites including NOAA weather satellites (NOAA-15, NOAA-16, NOAA-17), the Clementine lunar orbiter, the Coriolis military observation satellite, and the DMSP series of defense meteorological satellites.

### Q: What were the technical specifications of the Titan 23G?
A: The Titan 23G stood 31.40 meters tall with a diameter of 3.05 meters, had a gross mass of 154,000 kilograms, and could carry payloads of up to 3,175 kilograms to low Earth orbit or 2,177 kilograms to polar orbit.

## Why It Matters
The Titan 23G played a significant role in American space operations during its 15-year service period, providing a reliable launch capability for critical government satellites. It enabled the deployment of weather monitoring satellites that improved forecasting capabilities, defense satellites that enhanced national security, and scientific missions like the Clementine lunar orbiter that advanced our understanding of the Moon. The vehicle's longevity and versatility demonstrated the value of repurposing decommissioned ICBMs for peaceful space exploration and national security applications, bridging the gap between military technology and civilian space programs.

## Notable For
- Conversion of the LGM-25C Titan II intercontinental ballistic missile into a space launch vehicle
- Launch of the Clementine lunar orbiter, a significant lunar exploration mission
- Long service life compared to other launch vehicles of its era (15 years of operation)
- Deployment of multiple NOAA weather satellites that contributed to improved weather monitoring
- Use as a reliable launch platform for various defense and scientific satellites

## Body
### Technical Specifications
- Height: 31.40 meters (baseline)
- Diameter: 3.05 meters
- Gross mass: 154,000 kilograms
- Payload capacity: 3,175 kilograms to low Earth orbit, 2,177 kilograms to polar orbit
- Fuel: Aerozine-50
- Oxidizing agent: Dinitrogen tetroxide

### Service History
- Service entry: September 5, 1988
- Service retirement: October 18, 2003
- Launch site: Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 West
- Manufacturer: Martin Marietta

### Missions and Payloads
- NOAA-15 weather satellite
- NOAA-16 weather satellite (defunct, broke up in orbit)
- NOAA-17 weather satellite (defunct, broke up in orbit)
- DMSP 5D-2/F14 meteorological satellite
- DMSP 5D-3/F15 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program satellite
- DMSP 5D-3/F16 Defense Meteorological Satellite Program
- Clementine lunar orbiter
- Coriolis military Earth and solar observation satellite
- Landsat 6 Earth imaging satellite (failed to achieve orbit)
- Interstage Adapter Satellite (used to propel Clementine to the Moon)

### Components
- LR-87 (first stage)
- LR-91 (second stage)
- Star 37 (optional third stage)

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Titan 23G",
  "description": "American expendable launch vehicle",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_23G"
  ],
  "additionalType": "rocket model, missile model"
}

## References

1. [Source](https://netspublic.grc.nasa.gov/main/NOAA-L%20%20NOAA-M%20EA-FONSI.pdf)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/t/titaniislv.html)