The first Atlas D goes boom--60 years ago today

[Lar]

A depressing read. But also off topic. Please don't rehash geopolitical events of 50+ years ago, thanks

Edit after report to mod by a relatively new user asking what the issue is.... several:

1) We don't do future or alternate history here. It's off topic unless it has a strong relation to space (so for example, in the right thread, a reference to an alternate history in which the first shuttle mission to service Hubble was unable to fix it might possibly be on topic if it was in the right thread, but it would have to have a strong connection to the thread... did I mention it needs to be on topic?)
2) This alternate history has the most tenuous connection to Atlas... it's really a stretch... kind of like if we were discussing Ford Explorers and someone posted a link to an alternate history in which OJ's slow speed chase went differently
3) This particular alternate history is likely to spark up discussions of geopolitics, the US and USSR relationship, military strategy and a host of other topics... all of which are OFF TOPIC for this space related site.

Adding this is NOT intended to start a discussion of whether those are appropriate guidelines or not... or whether the post has those issues, or in general any discussion of mod actions.

But since the reporter is apparently new here, I decided to elaborate.

[catdlr]

....Atlas 48D where the failure occurred in the engine.

Video of the 48D (starts at 11:00 into the video)

[WallE]

Recovered sustainer section from 3D. There is essentially no fire damage and the sustainer operated until missile destruct. I have never heard a specific explanation given for the thrust section explosion at 26 seconds but the propellant leak likely caused the rupture of a LOX duct due to loss of propellant flow and pressure. For a similar example, see Atlas 68D which had a duct rupture and LOX leak in the thrust section in-flight that caused an explosion. BECO and staging were accomplished but the sustainer was damaged and eventually shut down.