Atlas 10-D “Big Joe 1”
By Kevin Huang
First launch of the Mercury program. Launched a boilerplate Mercury capsule to test the ablative heat shield, afterbody heating, and reentry dynamics.
Atlas A SM-65A
By Joey Zinga
Modification of Kevin Huang’s model
First full scale prototype of the Atlas missile and progenitor of the Atlas family of rockets.
Falcon Heavy
By Eiffleman
SpaceX partially reusable heavy-lift launch vehicle derived from the Falcon 9. Consists of a strengthened Falcon 9 first stage center core and two Falcon 9 first stage strap-on boosters. As of 2021, Falcon Heavy had the highest payload capacity of operating rockets and the third highest of any rocket ever to reach orbit.
Long March 5 (CZ-5)
By SkySaac
Heavy Lift launch vehicle developed by the China Academy of Launch Vehicle Technology. First to use non-hypergolic liquid fuels. As of 2021 it is the 3rd most powerful launch vehicle.
Apollo 13 Mission
By Eiffleman
Seventh crewed Apollo mission aborted after the Oxygen tank of the Service Module exploded.
Titan IIIC with MOL
By Eiffleman
Titan IIIC modified to carry a boilerplate mockup of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory.
Juno I
By Eiffleman
Four stage rocket derived from the Jupiter-C sounding rocket. After the “Sputnik Crisis” and the failure of the Vanguard program, a Juno I rocket was used to launch America’s first satellite, Explorer 1.
Delta B (Thor-Delta B)
By Eiffleman
Derivative of the Thor-Delta rocket using the Thor DM-21 configuration with a Delta D second stage and an Altair solid rocket motor third stage. Launched the first geosynchronous satellite, Syncom-2.
Juno II
By Eiffleman
Four stage rocket derived from the Jupiter missile and using MGM-29 Sergeant solid rocket motors for the upper stages. Launched Pioneer 3 (failure) and Pioneer 4 which became the first American lunar probe.