Common Core Booster Explained

The Common Core Booster (CCB) is a rocket stage, which is used as the first stage of the American Atlas V rocket as part of its modular design. It was also intended that two additional CCBs would be used as boosters on the Atlas V Heavy, however this configuration has not been developed. Use of a Common Core Booster as the first stage of the Japanese GX was also planned; however, this program was cancelled in late 2009.

The Common Core Booster is 32.46m (106.5feet) long, has a diameter of 3.81m (12.5feet) and is powered by a single RD-180 engine burning RP-1 and liquid oxygen.^[1]

Testing of the CCB and its RD-180 engines was conducted in the United States at the Marshall Space Flight Center, and in Khimki, Russia. The test programme concluded with the final engine test in December 2001.^[2] The first launch of a Common Core Booster was the maiden flight of the Atlas V, which was launched from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station on 21 August 2002.^[3] As of November 2020, the Atlas V has made 86 flights, all of which have used a single Common Core Booster.^[4]

See also

• Universal Rocket Module, the Russian Angara common core
• Falcon Heavy, the SpaceX Falcon 9 multi-core variant
• Delta IV Heavy, the Delta IV multi-core variant

Notes and References

1. Web site: Atlas CCB. https://web.archive.org/web/20020829133825/http://astronautix.com/stages/atlasccb.htm. dead. August 29, 2002. Wade. Mark. Encyclopedia Astronautica. 10 September 2010.
2. Web site: Lockheed Martin's Atlas V RD-180 Engine Successfully Completes Testing Program. 19 December 2001. SpaceRef. 10 September 2010.
3. Web site: Launch Log. McDowell. Jonathan. Jonathan's Space Page. 10 September 2010.
4. Web site: Atlas 5 Launch Record. https://archive.today/20140202203353/http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/atlas5.html#atlas5log. usurped. February 2, 2014. Kyle. Ed. Space Launch Report. 17 January 2021.