Titan IIIB was the collective name for five related American launch vehicles that put an Agena D upper stage on a Titan core: the Titan-3B Agena-D, the Titan 23B, the Titan 24B, the Titan 33B and the Titan 34B. The 3B Agena-D used a Titan IIIA core, the 23B a basic Titan III core, and the 24B and 34B the longer Titan IIIM core, while the 33B and 34B added an enlarged fairing that enclosed the Agena and its payload. All flew from Space Launch Complex 4W at Vandenberg Air Force Base, mainly carrying KH-8 Gambit 3 photo reconnaissance satellites, with Jumpseat signals intelligence satellites and military communications satellites also flown. The family was chosen over the Atlas used for the earlier KH-7 because it lifted more and its two-stage hypergolic design was simpler and more reliable. It suffered four outright failures and two partial failures over its run.
Facts
Engine Class Connections
Derived From
Source Titan IIIB (Wikipedia)
Exemplifies
Source Titan IIIB (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Manufactured By
Also in Business Atlas: the manufacturer of this subject.
Source Encyclopedia Astronautica: MartinAgency profile of Martin, launch vehicles listQuote, Agency profile of Martin, launch vehicles list
American manufacturer of rockets, spacecraft, and rocket engines. Martin Marietta Astronautics Group (1956), Denver, CO, USA.
Originated In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject originated.
Source Encyclopedia Astronautica: Titan IIIBEncyclopedia entryQuote, Encyclopedia entry
American orbital launch vehicle. Titan core with Agena upper stage.
Sources
1. Titan IIIB (Wikipedia)
Titan-3B Agena-D
Twenty-two flights took place from SLC-4W at Vandenberg AFB between 1966 and 1969, all launching KH-8 satellites.
Background, primary function
Launch vehicle used to lift medium class satellites into space
Features
The first stage consisted of a ground ignited Aerojet LR-87 liquid propellant rocket
Derived From: LGM-25C Titan II, Lead
Titan IIIB was the collective name for a number of derivatives of the Titan II ICBM and Titan III launch vehicle
Exemplifies: Orbital Spaceflight, Features, payload
It was able to lift approximately 3,000 kg (6,600 lb) into a polar low-Earth circular orbit.
View the Source2. Encyclopedia Astronautica: Titan IIIB
Encyclopedia AstronauticaStage data, Titan 3B stage 1
Propellants: N2O4/Aerozine-50.
Key facts
Status Retired 1969
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