Shuttle-Centaur

Shuttle-Centaur was a version of the Centaur upper stage rocket designed to be carried aloft inside the Space Shuttle and used to launch satellites into high Earth orbits or probes into deep space. Two variants were developed: Centaur G-Prime, which was planned to launch the Galileo and Ulysses robotic probes to Jupiter, and Centaur G, a shortened version planned for use with United States Department of Defense Milstar satellites and the Magellan Venus probe. The powerful Centaur upper stage allowed for heavier deep space probes, and for them to reach Jupiter sooner, prolonging the operational life of the spacecraft. However, neither variant ever flew on a Shuttle. Support for the project came from the United States Air Force (USAF) and the National Reconnaissance Office, which asserted that its classified satellites required the power of Centaur. The USAF agreed to pay half the design and development costs of Centaur G, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) paid the other half.

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Shuttle-Centaur with Galileo

The Centaur-G Prime, mounted in its Centaur Integrated Support Structure (CISS), is readied for launch in the Shuttle Payload Integration Facility at the Kennedy Space Center.

Shuttle/Centaur system

Shuttle/Centaur configurations

Shuttle-Centaur with Galileo

Model of Centaur G Prime with Ulysses probe in the San Diego Air and Space Museum

Model of Centaur G with Galileo probe in the San Diego Air and Space Museum

Model of Centaur G with Galileo probe in the San Diego Air and Space Museum

Model of Centaur G Prime with Ulysses probe in the San Diego Air and Space Museum

SHUTTLE-CENTAUR

Type	Subtype	Date	Description	Notes	Source
commons	image		Shuttle-Centaur with Galileo		Commons
commons	image		The Centaur-G Prime, mounted in its Centaur Integrated Support Structure (CISS), is readied for launch in the Shuttle Payload Integration Facility at the Kennedy Space Center.		Commons
commons	image		Shuttle/Centaur system		Commons
commons	image		Shuttle/Centaur configurations		Commons
commons	image		Shuttle-Centaur with Galileo		Commons
commons	image		Model of Centaur G Prime with Ulysses probe in the San Diego Air and Space Museum		Commons
commons	image		Model of Centaur G with Galileo probe in the San Diego Air and Space Museum		Commons
commons	image		Model of Centaur G with Galileo probe in the San Diego Air and Space Museum		Commons
commons	image		Model of Centaur G Prime with Ulysses probe in the San Diego Air and Space Museum		Commons
commons	image		SHUTTLE-CENTAUR		Commons