Juno I
By Eiffleman
Four stage rocket derived from the Jupiter-C sounding rocket. After the “Sputnik Crisis” and the failure of the Vanguard program, a Juno I rocket was used to launch America’s first satellite, Explorer 1.
Launch Vehicle
Delta B (Thor-Delta B)
By Eiffleman
Derivative of the Thor-Delta rocket using the Thor DM-21 configuration with a Delta D second stage and an Altair solid rocket motor third stage. Launched the first geosynchronous satellite, Syncom-2.
Juno II
By Eiffleman
Four stage rocket derived from the Jupiter missile and using MGM-29 Sergeant solid rocket motors for the upper stages. Launched Pioneer 3 (failure) and Pioneer 4 which became the first American lunar probe.
Atlas LV3 Agena-D
By Eiffleman
Standardized Atlas plus Agena D used for a variety of NASA and Air Force programs, including Ranger, Mariner, Midas, and Gambit.
Little Joe II
By Eiffleman
American rocket developed to test the Apollo spacecraft Launch Escape System and the Command Module parachute recovery system in abort mode. Smallest of the four launch vehicles used in the Apollo program.
Atlas LV-3B (Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle)
By Eiffleman
America’s second manned launch vehicle and the first to reach orbit for the Mercury program. Manufactured by Convair and derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile making it a member of the Atlas family of rockets. Launched a total of four crewed Mercury spacecraft.
Titan II GLV (Gemini Launch Vehicle)
By Eiffleman
American launch vehicle derived from the Titan II missile. Launched twelve Gemini program missions featuring the first flights with two astronauts.
Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle
By Eiffleman
America’s first crewed suborbital launch vehicle. Member of the Redstone rocket family derived from the U.S. Army’s Redstone missile and the Jupiter-C LV. Used for six suborbital Mercury flights carrying astronauts Alan Shepard and Gus Grissom.
A-4 / V-2 Rocket with Support and Supply Vehicles
By Kaero, Mark Balderama, and Wolfram Broszies
The Aggregat 4 (A-4), later renamed the V-2 for Vengeance Weapon 2, was the world’s first long range missile and the first to pass the Karman line reaching ‘space’. Much of the development team went on to help develop rocket programs for both the USA and USSR.