Atlas 5

Atlas V is an expendable launch system and the fifth major version in the Atlas rocket family. It was originally designed by Lockheed Martin, now being operated by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing. Atlas V is also a major NASA launch vehicle. Each Atlas V rocket consists of two main stages. The first stage is powered by a Russian RD-180 engine manufactured by Energomash and burning kerosene and liquid oxygen. The Centaur upper stage is powered by one or two United States RL10 engine manufactured by Aerojet Rocketdyne and burning liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The Star 48 upper stage was used on the New Horizons mission as a third stage. AJ-60A strap-on solid rocket boosters are used in some configurations. In November 2020, they were replaced by the GEM-63 SRBs. The standard payload fairings are 4.2 or 5.4 m in diameter with various lengths.

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