Athena I
Function | Small expendable launch system |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Lockheed Martin Alliant Techsystems |
Country of origin | United States |
Size | |
Height | 18.9 metres (62 ft) |
Diameter | 2.36 metres (7 ft 9 in) |
Mass | 66,300 kilograms (146,200 lb) |
Stages | Three |
Capacity | |
Payload to LEO | |
Mass | 820 kilograms (1,810 lb) |
Payload to SSO | |
Mass | 360 kilograms (790 lb) |
Associated rockets | |
Family | Taurus |
Launch history | |
Status | Retired |
Launch sites |
|
Total launches | 4 |
Success(es) | 3 |
Failure(s) | 1 |
First flight | 15 August 1995 |
Last flight | 30 September 2001 |
First stage – solid | |
Maximum thrust | 1,900 kilonewtons (430,000 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 280 sec |
Burn time | 83 seconds |
Propellant | HTPB |
Second stage – Orbus 21D | |
Powered by | 1 solid |
Maximum thrust | 189.2 kilonewtons (42,500 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 293 sec |
Burn time | 150 seconds |
Propellant | HTPB |
Third stage – OAM | |
Powered by | 4 MR-107 |
Maximum thrust | 882 newtons (198 lbf) |
Specific impulse | 222 sec |
Burn time | 1,500 seconds |
Propellant | Hydrazine |
The Athena I, known as the Lockheed Launch Vehicle (LLV) at the time of its first flight and Lockheed Martin Launch Vehicle (LMLV) at the time of its second flight,[1] was an American small expendable launch system which was used for four launches between 1995 and 2001. It is a member of the Athena family of rockets, along with the larger Athena II.[2]
The Athena I is a three-stage rocket, consisting of solid first and second stages, and a
Taurus rocket. An Orbus 21D motor was used as the second stage on launches up to 2001.[3] The third stage is an Orbital Adjustment Module, fuelled by hydrazine and propelled by four MR-107 engines, which is used for final insertion.[4][5]
Prior to its retirement in 2001, Athena I launches were made from
Kodiak Launch Complex
.
Four Athena I launches have been conducted, with one failure. Its maiden flight was conducted from SLC-6 at Vandenberg, and lifted off at 22:30
Manned Orbital Laboratory, and was later rebuilt for polar orbit Space Shuttle
launches. Both MOL and polar Shuttle flights were cancelled before any launches were made from SLC-6.
The next Athena I launch was on 23 August 1997, and successfully placed the
See also
- ALV X-1
- Comparison of small lift launch systems
- Comparison of solid-fuelled orbital launch systems
- Antares (rocket)
References
- ^ Wade, Mark. "Athena". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 29 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- ^ "Lockheed Martin and ATK Announce 2nd Generation Athena Launch Vehicles". Lockheed Martin. 25 March 2010. Archived from the original on 28 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- ^ "Taurus II" (PDF). Orbital Sciences Corporation. Archived (PDF) from the original on 26 March 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- ^ Krebs, Gunter. "Athena (LLV / LMLV)". Gunter's Space Page. Archived from the original on 13 February 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- ^ Wade, Mark. "OAM". Encyclopedia Astronautica. Archived from the original on 1 April 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- ^ "Athena I Kodiak Star Launch". NASA. 10 September 2001. Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.
- ^ McDowell, Jonathan. "Launch Log". Jonathan's Space Page. Archived from the original on 7 May 2010. Retrieved 26 March 2010.