UNITED STATES AIR FORCE
Atlas SLV-3C Centaur | Copernicus
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Aug 21, 1972 at 10:28 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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MISSION OVERVIEW
Third Orbiting Astronomical Observatory satellite, equipped with an UV telescope and three X-ray telescopes.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Atlas SLV-3C CentaurAGENCY
United States Air ForceMISSION
Copernicus
MISSION TYPE
Astrophysics
TARGET ORBIT
Low Earth Orbit
LAUNCH PAD
Launch Complex 36BLAUNCH SITE
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USACOUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 4226823e-e104-4643-b372-90858ef6b32c
Reported date: Aug 21, 1972 at 10:28 UTC
Last synced: 9 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
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VEHICLE — Atlas SLV-3C Centaur →
MANUFACTURER
Convair
VARIANT
SLV-3C Centaur
FLIGHTS
17
SUCCESSES
15
SUCCESS RATE
88.2%
The Atlas-Centaur was a US expendable launch vehicle derived from the SM-65 Atlas D missile. Launches were conducted from Launch Complex 36 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur | Copernicus launch?
The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur | Copernicus is scheduled for Monday, August 21, 1972 at 10:28 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 Copernicus?
The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur | Copernicus mission uses the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur rocket, manufactured by Convair. The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur has flown 17 times with a 88.2% success rate.
Where is the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur | Copernicus launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Complex 36B at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA.
What orbit is Copernicus going to?
The Copernicus mission is targeting Low Earth Orbit.
Who is launching Copernicus?
The Atlas SLV-3C Centaur | Copernicus is operated by United States Air Force.
Can I watch the Atlas SLV-3C Centaur | Copernicus 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.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch date set: Aug 21, 1972 at 10:28 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by United States Air Force
Mar 28, 2026 21:44 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
Nov 17, 2025 08:10 UTC
Copernicus Sentinel-6B begins mission to advance ocean scienceBerlin, Germany (SPX) Nov 17, 2025 Copernicus Sentinel-6B launched today, 17 November, at 06:21 CET aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force…
SpaceDaily
Nov 7, 2025 16:30 UTC
Copernicus Sentinel-1D journey to spaceThe Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite has joined the Sentinel-1 mission in orbit. Launch took place on 4 November 2025 at 22:02 CET (18:02 local time) on…
ESA
Nov 4, 2025 23:30 UTC
Copernicus Sentinel-1D launch highlightsThe Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite has joined the Sentinel-1 mission in orbit. Launch took place on 4 November 2025 at 22:02 CET (18:02 local time) on…
ESA
Nov 4, 2025 22:00 UTC
Copernicus Sentinel-1D launch coverageThe Copernicus Sentinel-1D satellite has joined the Sentinel-1 mission in orbit. Launch took place on 4 November 2025 at 22:03 CET (18:03 local time) on…
ESA
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 9 minutes ago
●Launch Library 29 minutes ago
Launch ID: 4226823e-e104-4643-b372-90858ef6b32c
●Spaceflight News API24 minutes ago
4 articles matched
●Open-Meteo Weather9 hours ago
Pad weather at 28.47, -80.54
Mission Profile
Copernicus was a Atlas SLV-3C Centaur mission operated by United States Air Force that lifted off from Launch Complex 36B, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA on August 21, 1972. The flight carried its payload on a astrophysics mission to Low Earth Orbit. The launch was a success.