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Launch Vehicles
Vehicle family profile

Atlas 5

Family-level launch record combining canonical variants, historical missions, public cadence forecasts, and available payload performance specs.

United Launch Alliance (ULA)Active
Admin
Variants
24
Canonical variants linked to this family.
Historical missions
110
Missions in the public mission table with actual launch dates.
Peak listed capacity
18,850 kg
Maximum payload capacity across listed variants and orbits.

Launch Cadence

Historical missions are grouped by actual launch year. Forecast cadence uses family-level launch-rate rows.

YearHistorical missionsForecast launches
201920
202050
202140
202270
202320
202420
202550
202643
202702
202801
202901
203001
203100
203200
203300
203400
203500

Performance Specs

Payload capacity by variant and target orbit when structured capacity rows are available.

VariantOrbitCapacityAltitudeInclinationSource
Atlas V N22
LEO18,850 kgUnknownUnknownManual Atlas V N22 fallback from Atlas V heavy configuration public capacity.
Atlas V 551
LEO18,850 kgUnknownUnknownNASA KSC Launch Services Program - ULA educational page
Atlas V 551 G
LEO18,814 kg200 km28.5 deg

Recent Missions

Latest launched missions using variants in this family.

MissionVariantLaunch
Amazon Leo LA-08
Atlas V 551 G
Jul 2, 2026
Amazon Leo LA-07
Atlas V 551 G
May 29, 2026
Amazon Leo LA-06
Atlas V 551 G
Apr 28, 2026
Amazon Leo LA-05

Variants

Canonical variants rolled up into this launch vehicle family.

VariantStagesMissionsStatus
Atlas V 401
Not stated26Retired
Atlas V 401 C
Not stated15Active
Atlas V 411
Not stated5Retired
Atlas V 411 C
Not stated1Retired
203600
203700
203800
203900
204000
204101

Forecast Location Split

1 launch location represented.

YearLocationLaunchesConfidenceBasis
2026Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)365%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2027Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)265%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2028Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)165%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2029Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)165%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2030Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)165%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2031Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2032Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2033Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2034Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2035Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2036Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2037Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2038Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2039Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2040Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)065%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
2041Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)155%Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but roc...
Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2026 · 65% confidence
3

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2027 · 65% confidence
2

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2028 · 65% confidence
1

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2029 · 65% confidence
1

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2030 · 65% confidence
1
ULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 551 G
LEO18,487 kg500 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 551 G
LEO17,703 kg1,000 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 541 G
LEO17,443 kg200 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 541 G
LEO17,234 kg500 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 541 G
LEO16,294 kg1,000 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 531 G1
LEO15,575 kg200 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 531 G1
LEO15,340 kg500 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 551 G
SSO14,917 kg500 kmUnknownULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 531 G1
LEO14,531 kg1,000 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 551 G
SSO14,168 kg1,000 kmUnknownULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 421 G1
LEO14,067 kg200 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 541 G
SSO13,761 kg500 kmUnknownULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 421 G1
LEO13,544 kg500 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 541 G
SSO13,049 kg1,000 kmUnknownULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 421 G1
LEO13,038 kg1,000 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 531 G1
SSO12,228 kg500 kmUnknownULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 531 G1
SSO11,608 kg1,000 kmUnknownULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 511 G
LEO10,986 kg200 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 511 G
LEO10,774 kg500 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 421 G1
SSO10,309 kg500 kmUnknownULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 511 G
LEO10,200 kg1,000 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 421 G1
SSO9,949 kg1,000 kmUnknownULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 401 C
LEO9,797 kg200 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 401 C
LEO9,269 kg500 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 401 C
LEO9,011 kg1,000 km28.5 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 551 G
GTO8,900 kg35,786 km27 degULA Atlas V Launch Services User's Guide Rev 11
Atlas V 551
GTO8,900 kgUnknownUnknownNASA KSC Launch Services Program - ULA educational page
Atlas V 551 G
Apr 4, 2026
Amazon Leo LA-04
Atlas V 551 G
Dec 16, 2025
Viasat-3 F2
Atlas V 551 G
Nov 14, 2025
Kuiper KA-03
Atlas V 551 G
Sep 25, 2025
Kuiper KA-02
Atlas V 551 G
Jun 23, 2025

Forecasted Missions

Upcoming mission rows with announced launch timing.

MissionVariantAnnounced

No forecasted missions

No upcoming announced mission rows are linked to this vehicle family.

Atlas V 421
Not stated4Retired
Atlas V 421 C
Not stated3Retired
Atlas V 421 C1
Not stated1Retired
Atlas V 421 G1
Not stated1Active
Atlas V 431
Not stated2Retired
Atlas V 431 C
Not stated1Retired
Atlas V 501
Not stated6Active
Atlas V 501 C
Not stated2Retired
Atlas V 511 G
Not stated1Active
Atlas V 521
Not stated2Retired
Atlas V 531
Not stated3Retired
Atlas V 531 G
Not stated1Retired
Atlas V 531 G1
Not stated1Active
Atlas V 541
Not stated2Retired
Atlas V 541 C
Not stated5Retired
Atlas V 541 G
Not stated2Active
Atlas V 551
Not stated4Retired
Atlas V 551 C
Not stated7Retired
Atlas V 551 G
Not stated12Active
Atlas V N22
Not stated3Active
Track

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2031 · 65% confidence
0

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2032 · 65% confidence
0

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2033 · 65% confidence
0

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2034 · 65% confidence
0

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2035 · 65% confidence
0

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2036 · 65% confidence
0

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Space Launch Complex 41, Cape Canaveral (Cape Canaveral Air Station, Florida)
2037 · 65% confidence
0

Residual Atlas V missions are mostly Amazon Leo and Starliner-related. Cadence falls to zero once sold manifest clears; physical pad could support more but rocket is unavailable c...

Mentions
957
All verified mentions of this launch vehicle family in source documents.
0.0-5.0
Actions

The U.S. Air Force will not be able to order any more Atlas V launches after 2022-12-31.

PlanValue 3.2Oct 17, 2018ULA CEO Bruno: New competitors in military launch market ‘good for the country’

The U.S. Air Force selected the Atlas V 551 configuration with five strap-on solid boosters for enhanced geostationary transfer orbit placement.

Plan
Page47of48
Capability
Value 4.5
Oct 17, 2018
Atlas 5 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral, deploys Air Force satellite

A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket configured with five strap-on solid rocket boosters launched from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station at 12:15 a.m. EST on a Wednesday.

GeneralPlanValue 3.5Oct 17, 2018Atlas 5 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral, deploys Air Force satellite

The Atlas V 551 configuration raises the perigee and reduces orbital inclination of the transfer orbit to conserve the satellite’s onboard fuel supply.

CapabilityValue 4.0Oct 17, 2018Atlas 5 rocket lifts off from Cape Canaveral, deploys Air Force satellite

The AEHF-4 satellite launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.

PlanGeneralValue 2.5Oct 15, 201845th Space Wing gears up for surge in launch activity

The Launch Service Agreement (LSA) program was started in 2015 to nurture domestic launch providers as the Air Force faces a 2022 deadline to stop using Russian RD-180 engines that power ULA’s Atlas V rocket.

PlanLegalValue 3.5Oct 11, 2018Air Force funding three new rockets to compete with SpaceX but only intends to buy launch services from two providers

By 2022, ULA will no longer be able to use Atlas V rockets powered by the Russian RD-180 engine to fly military satellites.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Oct 10, 2018Air Force awards launch vehicle development contracts to Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman, ULA

The Interim Cryogenic Propulsion Stage will be modified for EM-2 to include an emergency detection system similar to the Centaur upper stage used on Atlas V commercial crew missions.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Oct 5, 2018Boeing plans changes to SLS upper stages

Viasat chose United Launch Alliance over SpaceX and Arianespace for the ViaSat-3 Atlas 5 launch.

RelationshipsGeneralValue 4.0Oct 2, 2018Viasat, ULA insist ViaSat-3 launch was competitively procured

For United Launch Alliance, the ViaSat-3 deal is its first commercial Atlas 5 contract since taking over commercial Atlas 5 sales from Lockheed Martin in January.

RelationshipsPlanValue 3.8Oct 2, 2018Viasat, ULA insist ViaSat-3 launch was competitively procured

On 2018-09-10 at World Satellite Business Week in Paris, Viasat contracted United Launch Alliance to launch a ViaSat-3 broadband satellite on an Atlas 5 between 2020 and 2022.

RelationshipsPlanValue 5.0Oct 2, 2018Viasat, ULA insist ViaSat-3 launch was competitively procured

United Launch Alliance attributed the commercial Atlas 5 win to the rocket’s schedule availability, its 78 consecutive successes, and the ability to fly a custom trajectory that reduces orbit-raising time for the all-electric ViaSat-3 satellite.

RelationshipsCapabilityValue 4.2Oct 2, 2018Viasat, ULA insist ViaSat-3 launch was competitively procured

Shea Ferring has participated in over 50 space missions using various launch vehicles, including Minotaur, Atlas V, Delta IV, Pegasus, and Falcon 9.

GeneralValue 2.0Sep 27, 2018Firefly Aerospace Welcomes Shea Ferring as Vice President of Mission Assurance

In April (year unspecified in source), the Air Force Research Laboratory launched the ESPA Augmented Geosynchronous Satellite known as Eagle on a United Launch Alliance Atlas 5 rocket.

PlanGeneralValue 3.8Sep 17, 2018Government agencies prepare for piggyback flights, secondary payloads

Viasat plans the Atlas V launch for one ViaSat-3 satellite to occur between 2020 and 2022.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Sep 10, 2018Viasat books ULA Atlas 5 for a ViaSat-3 satellite launch

The Atlas V 551 will cut orbit-raising time for the ViaSat-3 satellite by at least half, enabling the satellite to reach the geostationary arc about 36,0 m up in three months or less.

PlanCapabilityValue 4.0Sep 10, 2018Viasat books ULA Atlas 5 for a ViaSat-3 satellite launch

ULA will use the Atlas V 551 variant, equipped with a 5-meter payload fairing and five strap-on boosters, to lift the ViaSat-3 satellite.

CapabilityGeneralValue 4.6Sep 10, 2018Viasat books ULA Atlas 5 for a ViaSat-3 satellite launch

The Viasat ViaSat-3 mission will launch aboard an Atlas V 551 configuration vehicle.

PlanGeneralValue 4.0Sep 9, 2018Viasat Selects United Launch Alliance’s Proven Atlas V Rocket For Commercial Satellite Launch

Viasat Inc. selected United Launch Alliance’s Atlas V vehicle to launch one ViaSat-3 satellite mission.

RelationshipsPlanValue 4.6Sep 9, 2018Viasat Selects United Launch Alliance’s Proven Atlas V Rocket For Commercial Satellite Launch

The ULA contract with Viasat is the first commercial contract ULA directly signed since assuming responsibility for marketing and sales of the Atlas V launch vehicle from Lockheed Martin Commercial Launch Services earlier in 2018.

RelationshipsGeneralValue 3.9Sep 9, 2018Viasat Selects United Launch Alliance’s Proven Atlas V Rocket For Commercial Satellite Launch