SM-65 Atlas Inter-Continental Ballistic Missile System 1956-1965
General Dynamics / Astronautics
Designer, Developer and Manufacturer of the Atlas
General Dynamics/Astronautics was a division of General Dynamics Corporation focused on aerospace, missile, and space systems development, particularly during the mid-20th century space race era. It originated from the Convair division, which General Dynamics acquired in 1953.
History
The roots trace back to Convair's work on the Atlas intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) in the 1950s, which later became a key launch vehicle for space missions. In 1955–1956, General Dynamics established a separate division for Atlas development, initially called Convair-Astronautics, operating out of a new plant in Kearny Mesa, San Diego. By June 1961, it was officially renamed General Dynamics/Astronautics. The facility, built in 1958 with a distinctive space-age architecture including a suspended ramp in the lobby, was demolished in 1997 after the division's operations wound down. In 1985, the division was reorganized into the Space Systems Division under Convair. As part of broader divestitures in the 1990s, the Space Systems Division was sold to Martin Marietta (now part of Lockheed Martin) in 1994, and the remaining Convair structures were sold to McDonnell Douglas that same year, leading to the closure of Convair in 1996.
Key Contributions
Atlas Missile and Space Launch Vehicle: The division's flagship project was the Atlas, the first U.S. operational ICBM, which evolved into a rocket for NASA's Project Mercury (launching the first American astronauts into orbit), as well as later variants like Atlas-Centaur and Atlas-Agena for satellite deployments and unmanned missions.
Legacy and Current Activities
While the original Astronautics division no longer exists, General Dynamics continues space-related work through its Mission Systems unit, which designs and manages satellite ground systems, spaceborne communications, and electronics for missions from near-Earth to deep space. This includes transponders used in historic events like the Apollo Moon landings and modern systems for national security and intelligence. The company's broader aerospace portfolio today emphasizes business jets via Gulfstream and other defense technologies.
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