# Titan IIID

> model of Titan III launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q1187235](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1187235)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_IIID)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/titan-iiid

## Summary
The Titan IIID was a model of the Titan III launch vehicle, part of a series of American expendable rockets derived from the Titan ICBM. It was specifically designed for launching U.S. military satellites into low Earth orbit, operating from 1971 to 1982. Notable for its use in deploying reconnaissance and surveillance satellites, the Titan IIID played a critical role in Cold War-era space-based intelligence gathering.

## Key Facts
- **First Flight**: June 15, 1971
- **Retirement**: 1982
- **Manufacturer**: Martin Marietta
- **Gross Mass**: 612,990 kg (including propellant)
- **Height**: 36.0 meters
- **Payload Capacity**: 12,300 kg to low Earth orbit
- **Notable Missions**: Launched KH-11 reconnaissance satellites and STP S81-1/S3-series satellites
- **Rocket Stages**: Included two solid rocket boosters (UA1205) and Titan 3A-1/Titan 3A-2 stages
- **Country of Origin**: United States

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of the Titan IIID rocket?
A: The Titan IIID was designed to launch U.S. military satellites, including reconnaissance and electronic intelligence missions, into low Earth orbit during the Cold War.

### Q: How many years was the Titan IIID in service?
A: The rocket was operational for 11 years, from its first flight in 1971 to its retirement in 1982.

### Q: What notable satellites did the Titan IIID deploy?
A: It launched several KH-11 optical reconnaissance satellites and S3-series electronic intelligence satellites, critical for U.S. strategic monitoring.

## Why It Matters
The Titan IIID was a key component of U.S. military space operations during the 1970s, enabling the deployment of advanced reconnaissance satellites that provided critical intelligence during the Cold War. As a variant of the Titan III family, it combined the reliability of the Titan ICBM-derived first stage with powerful solid rocket boosters, ensuring heavy payloads could reach orbit. Its capabilities supported national security objectives by enhancing surveillance and communication networks, bridging the gap between earlier rocket systems and later space shuttle-era technologies. The Titan IIID’s legacy reflects the strategic importance of space-based assets in 20th-century geopolitics.

## Notable For
- **High Payload Capacity**: Could deliver 12,300 kg to low Earth orbit, making it suitable for heavy military satellites.
- **KH-11 Deployments**: Launched the first generation of KH-11 KENNEN reconnaissance satellites, which provided real-time optical imagery.
- **Solid Rocket Boosters**: Utilized two UA1205 strap-on boosters for increased thrust during launch.
- **Dedicated Military Role**: Exclusively supported U.S. Department of Defense missions, reflecting its specialized design for national security payloads.

## Body
### Development and Design
The Titan IIID was part of the Titan III series, developed by Martin Marietta for the U.S. Air Force. It integrated two solid rocket boosters (UA1205) with the Titan 3A-1 and Titan 3A-2 liquid-fueled stages, enabling heavier payloads than earlier Titan variants. The rocket stood 36 meters tall with a gross mass of 612,990 kg at liftoff.

### Operational History
- **First Launch**: June 15, 1971, from Vandenberg Air Force Base.
- **Key Missions**: 
  - Launched the first KH-11 satellite (1976) and subsequent KH-11-02, -03, -04, and -05 missions.
  - Deployed S3-1, S3-2, and S3-3 electronic intelligence satellites.
  - Carried the STP S81-1 photo surveillance satellite.
- **Retirement**: The final Titan IIID launch occurred in 1982, succeeded by the Titan 34D and later Delta IV/Atlas V systems.

### Technical Specifications
- **Height**: 36.0 meters
- **Mass**: 612,990 kg (gross weight)
- **Payload to LEO**: 12,300 kg
- **Stages**: 
  1. Two UA1205 solid rocket boosters
  2. Titan 3A-1 first stage (liquid propellant)
  3. Titan 3A-2 second stage (liquid propellant)
  4. Transtage (for payload insertion)

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Rocket",
  "name": "Titan IIID",
  "description": "Model of Titan III launch vehicle used for U.S. military satellite launches",
  "url": "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_IIID",
  "sameAs": [
    "https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q15241312",
    "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_IIID"
  ],
  "manufacturer": "Martin Marietta",
  "height": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "unitText": "meters",
    "value": 36.0
  },
  "mass": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "unitText": "kilograms",
    "value": 612990
  },
  "payloadCapacity": {
    "@type": "QuantitativeValue",
    "unitText": "kilograms",
    "value": 12300,
    "description": "Low Earth Orbit"
  },
  "dateOfFirstFlight": "1971-06-15",
  "dateOfRetirement": "1982",
  "countryOfOrigin": "United States"
}

## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/t/titaniiid.html)
2. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
3. BabelNet