Titan IIID
Encyclopedia
The Titan IIID or Titan 3D was an American
expendable launch system
, launched twenty two times with KH-9 and KH-11
satellites between 1971 and 1982. It was a two-stage derivative of the three stage Titan IIIC, optimised for low Earth orbit
launches through the removal of the Transtage
upper stage of the IIIC.
The Titan IIID made its maiden flight on 15 June 1971, launching the first KH-9 satellite. It was retired from service in 1982, and replaced by the Titan 34D
. All launches occurred from Space Launch Complex 4E
at Vandenberg Air Force Base
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
expendable launch system
Expendable launch system
An expendable launch system is a launch system that uses an expendable launch vehicle to carry a payload into space. The vehicles used in expendable launch systems are designed to be used only once , and their components are not recovered for re-use after launch...
, launched twenty two times with KH-9 and KH-11
KH-11
The KH-11 KENNAN, renamed CRYSTAL in 1982 and also referenced by the codenames 1010, and "Key Hole", is a type of reconnaissance satellite launched by the American National Reconnaissance Office since December 1976...
satellites between 1971 and 1982. It was a two-stage derivative of the three stage Titan IIIC, optimised for low Earth orbit
Low Earth orbit
A low Earth orbit is generally defined as an orbit within the locus extending from the Earth’s surface up to an altitude of 2,000 km...
launches through the removal of the Transtage
Transtage
Transtage was an American upper stage used on Titan III rockets. 40 were launched, of which three failed.The first launch, boosted by a Titan IIIA carrier rocket, occurred on 1 September 1964. The Transtage failed to pressurise, resulting in premature engine cutoff, and a failure to reach orbit....
upper stage of the IIIC.
The Titan IIID made its maiden flight on 15 June 1971, launching the first KH-9 satellite. It was retired from service in 1982, and replaced by the Titan 34D
Titan 34D
The Titan 34D was an American rocket, used to launch a number of satellites for mostly military applications. After its retirement from military service, a small number were converted to the Commercial Titan III configuration, which included a stretched second stage, and a larger fairing...
. All launches occurred from Space Launch Complex 4E
Vandenberg AFB Space Launch Complex 4
Space Launch Complex 4 , was a launch site at Vandenberg Air Force Base, used by Atlas and Titan rockets between 1963 and 2005. It consisted of two separate launch pads, SLC-4W and SLC-4E, which were formerly designated PALC2-3 and PALC2-4 respectively. Both pads were originally built for use by...
at Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base
Vandenberg Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base, located approximately northwest of Lompoc, California. It is under the jurisdiction of the 30th Space Wing, Air Force Space Command ....
.