Titan I
Launch of a Titan I SM/567.8-90 ICBM from Cape Canaveral
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| Function | ICBM |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Martin Company |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Cost per launch | US$ 1.5 million (1962) |
| Size | |
| Height | 31 m |
| Diameter | 3.05 m |
| Mass | 105,140 kg |
| Stages | 2 |
| Launch history | |
| Status | Retired |
| Launch sites |
Cape Canaveral LC-15, LC-16, LC-19 & LC-20 Vandenberg AFB OSTF SLTF LC-395 |
| Total launches | 70 |
| Successes | 53 |
| Failures | 17 |
| First flight | 6 February 1959 |
| Last flight | 5 March 1965 |
| First stage | |
| Engines | 1 LR87-AJ-3 |
| Thrust | 1,900 kN (430,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 290 seconds |
| Burn time | 140 seconds |
| Fuel | RP-1/LOX |
| Second stage | |
| Engines | 1 LR91-AJ-3 |
| Thrust | 356 kN (80,000 lbf) |
| Specific impulse | 308 sec |
| Burn time | 155 seconds |
| Fuel | RP-1/LOX |
The Martin Marietta SM-68A/HGM-25A Titan I was the United States' first multistage Intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), in use from 1959 until 1965. Incorporating the latest design technology when designed and manufactured, the Titan I provided an additional nuclear deterrent to complement the U.S. Air Force's SM-65 Atlas missile. It was the first in a series of Titan rockets, but was unique among them in that it used liquid oxygen and RP-1 as propellants, while the later Titan ICBM versions all used storeable fuels instead. Though the SM-68A was operational for only three years, it was an important step in building the Air Force's strategic nuclear forces.
The program began in January 1955 when the Scientific Advisory Committee recommended an alternate approach to the ICBM. In May 1955 the Air Material Command invited contractors to submit proposals and bids for the two stage alternate source ICBM. In September 1955 Martin was declared the contractor for the Titan missile. In early October the Air Force's Western Development Division was ordered to commence the Titan program. The Titan was developed in parallel with the Atlas (SM-65/HGM-16) Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. The Air Force's goal in launching the Titan program was threefold: one, to serve as a backup should Atlas fail; two, to develop a large, two-stage missile with potentially superior performance; and third to introduce competition which the head of Ballistic Missile Division, Brigadier General Bernard Schriever, thought might spur the Atlas contractor to work harder Martin was selected as the contractor for two reasons. First it proposed a superior organization. Second was that Martin proposed a method of dealing with the problem of igniting a liquid fueled engine at high altitude.
The Titan I was initially designated B-68 in the numbering sequence of bombers. It was later designate SM-68; then in 1962 it was redesignated HGM-25A.
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