# Titan IIIM

> cancelled American expendable launch vehicle

**Wikidata**: [Q24883821](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q24883821)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titan_IIIM)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/titan-iiim

## Summary
The Titan IIIM was a cancelled American expendable launch vehicle developed as part of the Titan III series based on the Titan ICBM. Manufactured by Martin Marietta, this rocket model was ultimately abandoned before seeing operational use.

## Key Facts
- The Titan IIIM was an abandoned project and rocket model, never achieving operational status.
- It was manufactured by Martin Marietta and originated from the United States.
- The rocket had a height of 39.0 meters and a gross weight of 836,560 kilograms.
- It was designed to carry a payload mass of 17,000 kilograms to orbit.
- The Titan IIIM configuration included two UA1207 solid rocket boosters, a Titan 3B-1 core, a Titan 3B-2 second stage, and a Transtage upper stage.
- As a subclass of the Titan III series, it shared technological heritage with other Titan rockets.
- The rocket was also known by the alias "Titan 3M" and is documented in both Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons.

## FAQs
### Q: Why was the Titan IIIM cancelled?
A: The Titan IIIM was cancelled before reaching operational status, though the specific reasons for its abandonment are not detailed in the available sources. As part of the broader Titan III series, it was ultimately supplanted by other launch vehicle designs.

### Q: What made the Titan IIIM different from other Titan III rockets?
A: The Titan IIIM featured a specific configuration with two UA1207 solid rocket boosters and included both a Titan 3B-1 core and Titan 3B-2 second stage, along with a Transtage upper stage. This design distinguished it from other variants in the Titan III family.

### Q: What was the payload capacity of the Titan IIIM?
A: The Titan IIIM was designed to deliver a payload mass of 17,000 kilograms to orbit, placing it in the medium-to-heavy lift category of launch vehicles during its development period.

### Q: Who manufactured the Titan IIIM?
A: The Titan IIIM was manufactured by Martin Marietta, the same company responsible for other Titan III rockets and numerous aerospace products during the Space Race era.

## Why It Matters
Despite being cancelled, the Titan IIIM represents an important chapter in American rocket development history. As part of the Titan III series, it contributed to technological advancements in heavy-lift capabilities during the Cold War era when the United States was rapidly expanding its space program. The development of various Titan III configurations like the IIIM demonstrated the iterative approach taken by aerospace engineers to meet evolving mission requirements. The specifications of the Titan IIIM, particularly its 17,000 kg payload capacity and 39-meter height, show the scale of ambitions during this period. Even in its cancelled state, the design and components like the Transtage upper stage influenced subsequent rocket programs. Understanding the Titan IIIM helps researchers and space enthusiasts appreciate the complex technological ecosystem of launch vehicles that existed during this pivotal time in space exploration.

## Notable For
- Being a cancelled rocket model that never achieved operational status despite its substantial payload capacity of 17,000 kilograms.
- Its unique configuration featuring two UA1207 solid rocket boosters in addition to standard Titan III components.
- Representing Martin Marietta's contribution to heavy-lift launch vehicles during the Space Race era.
- Its inclusion in the broader Titan III series, which served as an important stepping stone between early ICBM-derived rockets and modern launch systems.
- Documentation across multiple platforms including Wikipedia and Wikimedia Commons, despite its cancellation.

## Body
### Basic Specifications
The Titan IIIM was a substantial launch vehicle with a height of 39.0 meters and a gross weight of 836,560 kilograms. Designed as an expendable launch vehicle, it was classified as a medium-to-heavy lift rocket with a payload capacity of 17,000 kilograms. As an abandoned project, it never reached operational status, leaving only its specifications as a testament to its intended capabilities.

### Design Components
The Titan IIIM configuration included several distinct components:
- UA1207 solid rocket boosters (2 units)
- Titan 3B-1 core stage
- Titan 3B-2 second stage
- Transtage upper stage

This combination solid rocket boosters with liquid propellant stages was characteristic of the Titan III family, which used the core Titan II design augmented by additional boosters for greater thrust and payload capacity.

### Manufacturer and Heritage
Manufactured by Martin Marietta, the Titan IIIM originated from the United States as part of the broader Titan III series. This series was based on the Titan ICBM (Intercontinental Ballistic Missile) technology, demonstrating the repurposing of military hardware for space applications. As a subclass of the Titan III, the IIIM shared technological heritage with other variants while featuring its own unique configuration.

### Documentation and Recognition
Despite being cancelled, the Titan IIIM is documented in several authoritative sources:
- Wikipedia entry under the title "Titan IIIM"
- Wikimedia Commons category "Titan IIIM"
- Reference in Astronautix.com database
- Wikidata entry describing it as a "cancelled American expendable launch vehicle"

This documentation ensures that specifications and technical details of the cancelled rocket remain accessible to researchers and space enthusiasts.

### Place in Space History
The Titan IIIM represents an important, though unrealized, chapter in American space launch vehicle development. Its existence as part of the Titan III series demonstrates the rapid evolution of rocket technology during the 1960s-1970s period when the United States was expanding its space capabilities. The cancellation of such a substantial launch vehicle provides insight into the priorities, challenges, and economic realities of space program development during this era.

## References

1. [Source](http://www.astronautix.com/t/titan3m.html)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/titan-3_bo.htm)