ATLAS I-CENTAUR Fact Sheet
Written and Edited by Cliff Lethbridge

Introduced in 1987, the Atlas I-Centaur employed two Rocketdyne booster engines capable of producing a combined thrust of 377,500 pounds. A Rocketdyne sustainer engine provided 60,500 pounds of thrust.

Two Rocketdyne vernier engines provided an additional thrust of 669 pounds each. The booster, sustainer and vernier engines all burn liquid oxygen/RP-1 (kerosene) liquid fuel.

With the medium fairing, the Atlas I-Centaur could carry a 13,000-pound payload to low-Earth orbit, a 5,150-pound payload to geosynchronous transfer orbit or a 3,350-pound payload to Earth-escape trajectory.

With the large fairing, the Atlas I-Centaur could carry a 12,550-pound payload to low-Earth orbit, a 4,950-pound payload to geosynchronous transfer orbit or a 3,100-pound payload to Earth-escape trajectory.

Copyright ©1998 by Spaceline, Inc.