Atlas IIAS
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Terra_atlasIIAS.jpg
Terra_atlasIIAS.jpg
The Atlas IIAS is a launch vehicle used by NASA to put unmanned vehicles into Earth orbit. It is currently the most powerful version of the original NASA Atlas/Centaur rocket. The rocket has multiple stages to orbit. Once the fuel in the solid rocket boosters is consumed, they are jettisoned to reduce weight. After the rocket escapes the second stage of the launch vehicle deploys the satellite.
See also, labeled diagram of the Atlas IIAS
External link
- NASA page on Atlas IIAS Vehicle (http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/PAO/html/atlas2as.htm)
- Animation of the Atlas-IIAS launch and Terra satellite deployment (http://terra.nasa.gov/About/SC/launch_composite.html)