Atlas Vega Mock Up

[Michel Van]

Atlas Vega was proposal for 4 stage rocket
It use Atlas as first and second stage, a third stage and fourth stage using storable propellants.
but instead Lockheed Agena became second stage Atlas

i found at SDASM Archive the photos Mock-Up of third stage and Model of launch rocket

 

[SAustin16]

Great find Michel. Very interesting.

 

[blackstar]

Vega was under development from around 1958-1959, canceled in 1959. I think Joel Powell wrote an article about it, possibly for Quest magazine, over a decade ago. What I have occasionally seen reported is that Vega was canceled when NASA "found out" about the existence of the Atlas Agena, which had the same capabilities. I doubt that this is what happened because the development of Atlas Agena was public. It wasn't secret. I think that most likely what really happened is that eventually somebody in charge figured that their capabilities were similar enough that Vega was unnecessary. I also vaguely remember that the real issue was the incorporation of the restart capability in the Agena. It did not initially have it, but when it was added that duplicated Vega's capability. So it was probably the case that NASA officials were aware of Agena, then found out about the restart capability, and that convinced them that they could just use the restartable Agena instead.

 

[Michel Van]

the Third stage Vega use GE X-405 engine from First stage of Vanguard rocket
but is tank is build by Convair

the Fourth stage is from JPL and had used Storable fuel

payload wound be 2240 kg in 480 km orbit and 360 kg to moon and beyond
NASA had Contracted GD, GE and JPL for construction for eight Atlas-Vega rockets
first flight were estimate for Fall of year 1960

source:
On Mars Exploration of the Red Planet
https://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/History/SP-4212/contents.html
LUNAR IMPACT: A History of Project Ranger
http://history.nasa.gov/SP-4210/pages/Ch_1.htm

 

[bigvlada]

Vega was under development from around 1958-1959, canceled in 1959. I think Joel Powell wrote an article about it, possibly for Quest magazine, over a decade ago. What I have occasionally seen reported is that Vega was canceled when NASA "found out" about the existence of the Atlas Agena, which had the same capabilities. I doubt that this is what happened because the development of Atlas Agena was public. It wasn't secret. I think that most likely what really happened is that eventually somebody in charge figured that their capabilities were similar enough that Vega was unnecessary. I also vaguely remember that the real issue was the incorporation of the restart capability in the Agena. It did not initially have it, but when it was added that duplicated Vega's capability. So it was probably the case that NASA officials were aware of Agena, then found out about the restart capability, and that convinced them that they could just use the restartable Agena instead.

There was an article in Missiles and Rockets, near the end of 1959, about the cancellation of the project. Basically, the program was late and the replacement was nearing completion.

 

[blackstar]

I posted a history article about Atlas-Vega over on the nasaspaceflight.com forum. You can find it without much trouble.