Common Core Booster

Common Core Booster

The CCB of Atlas V AV-021 is erected at the Vertical Integration Facility of SLC-41 ahead of the launch of the Solar Dynamics Observatory
Manufacturer	Lockheed Martin (1998–2006) United Launch Alliance (2006–2024)
Country of origin	United States
Used on	Atlas V
General characteristics
Height	32.46 m (106.5 ft)
Diameter	3.81 m (12.5 ft)
Propellant mass	284,089 kg (626,309 lb)
Empty mass	21,054 kg (46,416 lb) (V 400 series) 21,351 kg (47,071 lb) (V 500 series)[1]
Propulsion
Powered by	1× RD-180
Maximum thrust	3,827 kN (860,000 lbf) (SL) 4,152 kN (933,000 lbf) (vac)
Burn time	253 s
Propellant	LOX/RP-1

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 32.46 m (106.5 ft) long, has a diameter of 3.81 m (12.5 ft) and is powered by a single RD-180 engine burning RP-1 and liquid oxygen.^[2]

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.^[3] 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.^[4] As of November 2020, the Atlas V has made 86 flights, all of which have used a single Common Core Booster.^[5]

• 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

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