Scale models showing representative sizes of
the rockets used for the US manned space programs.
From the left: Redstone, Atlas, Titan II, Saturn V
From the left: Redstone, Atlas, Titan II, Saturn V
While all manned spaceflights from the Russia and the former Soviet Union have used variants of the R-7 rocket, and China has used the CZ-2F variant of the Long March series, the United States has used a number of different vehicles to put people into space.
Redstone was first, used for the early sub-orbital Mercury flights. Then came the Atlas for the remaining Mercury flights. Titan II was used for Gemini, and the Saturn and Saturn V for Apollo, Skylab, and ASTP. The Space Transport System (Shuttle) was used until 2011.
The Ares was the intended follow to the spacde shuttle, but was cancelled after a single test flight. It was in turn replaced by the SLS (Space Launch System).
Civilian launch vehicles also play a part in the US Space program. SpaceX is using the Falcon 9, while the Boeing Starliner uses Atlas V from ULA (United Launch Alliance).
These pages are intended to be brief overviews for each family and not extensive or detailed histories.
Times accessed: 7114
Last updated: 06 November 2023 19:25:35.
NOTE: While the United States has used a number of other rockets in its space program (Agena, Juno, Jupiter, and Vanguard to name a few) we only have pages for those directly involved in manned flight. While we have no plans to the contrary, if you wish to write a page about one of these "lesser" launch vehicles and send it to us, we may publish it (with prominent credit to the true author, of course).
