The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Atlas V program stands at a historic crossroads in December 2024, with only two launches completed this year and 15 rockets remaining in its inventory. The 2024 launches included the significant Boeing Crew Flight Test (Starliner) mission on June 5, carrying NASA astronauts Barry Wilmore and Sunita Williams, and the USSF-51 mission on July 30, which marked the final national security launch for the Atlas V platform.
The remaining inventory of 15 Atlas V rockets represents the final chapter for this legendary launch vehicle. These rockets are specifically allocated across three major programs: eight vehicles dedicated to Amazon’s Project Kuiper satellite constellation deployment, six reserved for Boeing’s Starliner missions supporting NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, and one final rocket designated for a ViaSat commercial communications satellite launch.
The Atlas story began in 1957 as an intercontinental ballistic missile program under the Convair Division of General Dynamics. The program introduced revolutionary “balloon tank” technology, using extremely thin stainless steel tanks that maintained their rigidity through pressurization. This innovative design led to the creation of WD-40 to prevent rust on the unpainted surfaces.
By 1958, Atlas had proven its value beyond military applications when it successfully launched SCORE (Signal Communication by Orbiting Relay Equipment), the first communications satellite, which delivered President Dwight D. Eisenhower’s Christmas greeting to the world. The program achieved another milestone on February 20, 1962, when John Glenn became the first American to orbit the Earth aboard Friendship 7, launched by an Atlas-Agena rocket.
The Atlas V, introduced in 2002, marked a significant departure from its predecessors with the use of the Russian RD-180 engine in its first stage. The rocket has demonstrated remarkable reliability with over 100 successful launches. The majority of these final missions will utilize the Atlas V 551 configuration, nicknamed “The Bruiser” by ULA CEO Tory Bruno.
Key Milestones in Atlas History
1957
- June 11: First Atlas test flight (failed)
- December 17: First successful Atlas missile test flight
1958
- December 18: Launch of SCORE satellite
1962
- February 20: John Glenn’s historic orbital flight on Friendship 7
1964-1978
- Over 100 scientific missions launched, including Mariner 4’s Mars flyby
2002
- August 21: First Atlas V launch
2006
- Formation of United Launch Alliance (ULA)
2024
- June 5: First crewed flight of Atlas V with Starliner
- July 30: Final national security launch
- Production ceases with final 15 vehicles allocated
