The Atlas V rocket is retiring after over two decades of heavy lifting

Countries & Cities · Published 3 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: As the longest-serving active rocket in the United States, the Atlas V has been a workhorse for NASA and the Department of Defense since 2002. Now, with production ended and the final vehicles slated for Starliner missions, this iconic launch system is preparing to make way for the Vulcan Centaur.

Developed by Lockheed Martin and operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA) since 2006, the Atlas V represents the fifth major iteration of the Atlas family. Its design features a two-stage architecture: a first stage powered by a Russian-made RD-180 engine burning kerosene and liquid oxygen, and a Centaur upper stage utilizing American-made RL10 engines. This configuration allowed for significant versatility, with strap-on solid rocket boosters—originally AJ-60A and later Northrop Grumman’s GEM 63—providing additional thrust for heavier payloads.

The vehicle's legacy is defined by its reliability and its role in critical missions, including the launch of the Mars Science Laboratory Curiosity and the MAVEN mission. Beyond scientific exploration, the Atlas V was human-rated to support the Boeing Starliner program. In June 2024, the rocket successfully carried two NASA astronauts to the International Space Station during the Boe-CFT mission, marking a milestone in its operational history. Despite its success, the rocket's reliance on the Russian RD-180 engine became a point of contention, eventually leading to a Congressional mandate to phase out the engine and transition to the domestic Vulcan Centaur.

Economic pressures also shaped the Atlas V’s trajectory. While early launch costs were high, competitive pressure in the 2010s forced prices down, with base costs for configurations like the 401 dropping from approximately US$180 million to US$109 million. By August 2021, ULA announced the retirement of the platform. With production concluding in 2024, only six rockets remained as of July 2026, all reserved for final Starliner commitments. This transition marks the end of an era for a vehicle that served as a primary gateway to orbit for both commercial and government interests for nearly a quarter-century.

General information, not professional advice. Spotted an error? Flag the card or see corrections and complaints.

Intellect Plus is a visual educational discovery platform for exploring fascinating facts and ideas. Brain Food, Not Brain Rot. What is Intellect Plus?

Related

• From ICBM to Atlas V: The 60-Year Evolution of a Rocket Icon
• The Russian-made rocket engine that powered America's most critical space missions for two decades.
• The high-stakes struggle to maintain America's heavy-lift launch monopoly
• Moving a 1.7-million-pound rocket requires a specialized railcar trek
• A spectacular 1962 rocket failure that paved the way for modern space exploration
• How a homeless trio living above a rehearsal room conquered the global pop charts
• Apollo 7 was a technical triumph marred by colds, crankiness, and cabin tension
• A black Madonna, a cave, and a bridge between ancient faiths and modern pilgrims.
• The Chicago skyscraper that shed its marble skin to survive a structural crisis
• Why Portugal's most famous tower was never meant to be on the shore
• The Aljafería Palace: A Medieval Masterpiece of Islamic Architecture in Northern Spain
• The airport that served as a gateway for the Eastern Bloc

More in Famous landmarks · More in Countries & Cities · Latest · A–Z · All topics