2026-244Latest orbital launch: Falcon 9 · Starlink Group 15-16 · Oct 27, 2026 · VandenbergLaunch record →
sci-techmaventhe history of spaceflight, in data
  1. Home
  2. Launches
  3. 2003
  4. 2003-033
// orbital launch

Rainbow 1

Atlas V 521 launch from Cape Canaveral & Kennedy (United States) on July 17, 2003, carrying 1 payload. GCAT records the launch as a success.

July 17, 2003 · 23:45 UTCLaunch 2003-033Launch no. 4,608 in the log
RocketAtlas V 521
SpaceportCape Canaveral & Kennedypad SLC41
OutcomeSuccess
Launch agencyILS-LMAUnited States

Flight

Date and time (UTC)
July 17, 2003, 23:45
Launch designation
2003-033
Mission
Rainbow 1
Vehicle flight ID
AV-003

Orbit and payload

Initial perigee
167 km
Initial apogee
4,166 km
Inclination
27.1°
Payload mass to orbit
4.3 t
Payloads
1
GCAT launch code
OS

Payloads

PayloadDesignationOwnerMission typeMassFate
Rainbow 12003-033ANORAD 27852Rainbow DBS Company LLCCommunications4,328 kgRenamed · March 2006

Source: GCAT launch list and payload catalogs, Jonathan C. McDowell (CC BY 4.0). Orbit values are the initial orbit reported for the launch.