Atlas rockets lifted some of the first US astronauts and satellites into Earth orbit in the 1960s. Atlas also was the first American nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile, or ICBM. Atlas and its US Air Force managers and technicians played vital roles in both the space race with the Soviet Union and in early nuclear deterrence. The Atlas booster family continues to launch space missions in the 21st century. See the CONVAIR LV-3B / SM-65D ATLAS in the Missile Gallery! #spacegeek | National M