UNITED STATES AIR FORCE

Atlas SLV-3 | PRIME 3

SUCCESS Atlas SLV-3 →
Apr 20, 1967 at 01:35 UTC
Suborbital Test Flight Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA 100% success
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Live Orbit
Fullscreen
Mission Control3D trajectory · Live telemetry · AI narrator · Booster tracking
PADSpace Launch Complex 3E
SITEVandenberg SFB, CA, USA →
ORBITSuborbital
TYPETest Flight

The Martin X-23 PRIME (Precision Recovery Including Maneuvering Entry) was a small uncrewed lifting body re-entry vehicle tested by the United States Air Force in the late 1960s. PRIME 3 mission was flown on 19 April 1967 and simulated reentry from low-earth orbit with a 1143 km cross-range. This time, all systems performed perfectly, and the X-23 was successfully recovered.

MISSION
PRIME 3
MISSION TYPE
Test Flight
TARGET ORBIT
Suborbital
COUNTRY
USA
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 61e0c671-5847-4948-a699-e90b86e9b100
Reported date: Apr 20, 1967 at 01:35 UTC
Last synced: 52 seconds ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
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MANUFACTURER
Convair
VARIANT
SLV-3
FLIGHTS
4
SUCCESSES
4
SUCCESS RATE
100%

The Atlas SLV-3, or SLV-3 Atlas was an American expendable launch system derived from the SM-65 Atlas / SM-65D Atlas missile. It was a member of the Atlas family of rockets.

When is the Atlas SLV-3 | PRIME 3 launch?
The Atlas SLV-3 | PRIME 3 is scheduled for Thursday, April 20, 1967 at 1:35 AM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for PRIME 3?
The Atlas SLV-3 | PRIME 3 mission uses the Atlas SLV-3 rocket, manufactured by Convair. The Atlas SLV-3 has flown 4 times with a 100% success rate.
Where is the Atlas SLV-3 | PRIME 3 launching from?
The launch takes place from Space Launch Complex 3E at Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA.
What orbit is PRIME 3 going to?
The PRIME 3 mission is targeting Suborbital.
Who is launching PRIME 3?
The Atlas SLV-3 | PRIME 3 is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Atlas SLV-3 | PRIME 3 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
Mar 28, 2026 20:52 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:52 UTC
Launch date set: Apr 20, 1967 at 01:35 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 28, 2026 20:52 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Last data sync: 52 seconds ago
Launch Library 252 seconds ago
Launch ID: 61e0c671-5847-4948-a699-e90b86e9b100
Open-Meteo Weather15 hours ago
Pad weather at 34.64, -120.59

Mission Profile

PRIME 3 was a Atlas SLV-3 mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Space Launch Complex 3E, Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on April 20, 1967. The flight carried its payload on a test flight mission to Suborbital. The launch was a success.