1958-12-23 USA Atlas C Flight

Launch of Atlas C spaceflight flight, postmarked at Port Canaveral on December 23, 1958

Atlas C was a prototype of the Atlas missile, with its test program commencing successfully with Missile 3C's flight on December 23, 1958. All systems functioned effectively, and the extended booster burn was executed without any adverse effects. This model represented the final development iteration of the Atlas rocket before the operational Atlas D. Initially intended to serve as the first stage of the Atlas-Able rocket, the plan was scrapped following an explosion during a static test on September 24, 1959, leading to a shift toward the Atlas D.

(Reference from SM-65C Atlas)