Atlas LV-3B

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The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a human-rated expendable launch system used as part of the United States Project Mercury to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. Manufactured by Convair, it was derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile, and was a member of the Atlas family of rockets. With the Atlas having been originally designed as a weapon system, testing and design changes were made to the missile to make it a safe and reliable launch vehicle. After the changes were made and approved, the US launched the LV-3B nine times, four of which had crewed Mercury spacecraft.

Mercury-atlas-manualMercury-atlas-manual
Mercury profileMercury profile
Photographed is a model of early rocketry, the Atlas Mercury.Photographed is a model of early rocketry, the Atlas Mercury.
Early Rocketry Models 0501018Early Rocketry Models 0501018
Photographed are models of early rocketry: The Atlas Mercury, Atlas Centaur, and Atlas Agena.Photographed are models of early rocketry: The Atlas Mercury, Atlas Centaur, and Atlas Agena.
LC-14-SignLC-14-Sign
Mercury Rockets atop boostersMercury Rockets atop boosters
Mercury Rockets atop boostersMercury Rockets atop boosters
Mercury Rockets atop boostersMercury Rockets atop boosters
    TypeSubtypeDateDescriptionNotesSource
    commonsimageMercury-atlas-manual Commons
    commonsimageMercury profile Commons
    commonsimagePhotographed is a model of early rocketry, the Atlas Mercury. Commons
    commonsimageEarly Rocketry Models 0501018 Commons
    commonsimagePhotographed are models of early rocketry: The Atlas Mercury, Atlas Centaur, and Atlas Agena. Commons
    commonsimageLC-14-Sign Commons
    commonsimageMercury Rockets atop boosters Commons
    commonsimageMercury Rockets atop boosters Commons
    commonsimageMercury Rockets atop boosters Commons