Common Core Booster

{{Short description|American rocket stage used as the first stage of the Atlas V Rocket}}

{{about|the Atlas V's first stage|the Delta IV booster|Common Booster Core}}

{{Infobox rocket stage

| name = Common Core Booster

| image = Atlas V AV-021 first stage erection.jpg

| caption = 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 = {{ubli

| Lockheed Martin (1998–2006)

| United Launch Alliance (2006–2024)

}}

| country = United States

| rockets = Atlas V

| height = {{convert|32.46|m|abbr=on}}

| diameter = {{convert|3.81|m|abbr=on}}

| empty = {{ubli

| {{convert|21054|kg|abbr=on}} (V 400 series)

| {{convert|21351|kg|abbr=on}} (V 500 series){{cite web|url=https://www.ulalaunch.com/docs/default-source/rockets/atlasvusersguide2010a.pdf?sfvrsn=f84bb59e_2|title=Atlas 5 Launch Services User's Guide|publisher=United Launch Alliance|accessdate=3 March 2021}}

}}

| propmass = {{convert|284089|kg|abbr=on}}

| stagedata =

{{Infobox rocket/stage

| name = Propulsion

| engines = 1× RD-180

| thrust = {{cvt|3827|kN}} ({{Abbr|SL|sea level}})
{{cvt|4152|kN}} ({{Abbr|vac|vacuum}})

| burntime = 253 s

| fuel = 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 {{convert|32.46|m|abbr=on}} long, has a diameter of {{convert|3.81|m|abbr=on}} and is powered by a single RD-180 engine burning RP-1 and liquid oxygen.{{cite web|url=http://www.astronautix.com/stages/atlasccb.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20020829133825/http://astronautix.com/stages/atlasccb.htm|url-status=dead|archive-date=August 29, 2002|title=Atlas CCB|last=Wade|first=Mark|publisher=Encyclopedia Astronautica|accessdate=10 September 2010}}

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.{{cite web|url=http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=6950|title=Lockheed Martin's Atlas V RD-180 Engine Successfully Completes Testing Program|date=19 December 2001|publisher=SpaceRef|accessdate=10 September 2010}} 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.{{cite web|url=http://planet4589.org/space/log/launchlog.txt|title=Launch Log|last=McDowell|first=Jonathan|publisher=Jonathan's Space Page|accessdate=10 September 2010}} As of November 2020, the Atlas V has made 86 flights, all of which have used a single Common Core Booster.{{cite web|url=http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/atlas5.html#atlas5log|archive-url=https://archive.today/20140202203353/http://www.spacelaunchreport.com/atlas5.html#atlas5log|url-status=usurped|archive-date=February 2, 2014|title=Atlas 5 Launch Record|last=Kyle|first=Ed|publisher=Space Launch Report|accessdate=17 January 2021}}