Everything Science Forum

http://www.everything-science.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=150&Itemid=1

CAPE CANAVERAL AIR FORCE STATION, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 12, 2005--An Atlas V rocket sent a (http://www.everything-science.com/mambots/content/mosinfopop/info.gif)NASA (http://www.everything-science.com/javascript:void(0) onmouseover=return overlib('Us government agency which carries out aviation and space research projects.  Visit NASA on the web:  http://www.nasa.gov', CAPTION, 'NASA',BELOW,RIGHT, WIDTH, 300, FGCOLOR, '#CCCCFF', BGCOLOR, '#333399', TEXTCOLOR, '#000000', CAPCOLOR, '#FFFFFF', OFFSETX, 10, OFFSETY, 10); onmouseout=return nd();
  onclick=return overlib('Us government agency which carries out aviation and space research projects.  Visit NASA on the web:  http://www.nasa.gov', STICKY, CLOSECLICK, CAPTION, 'NASA',BELOW,RIGHT, WIDTH, 300, FGCOLOR, '#CCCCFF', BGCOLOR, '#333399', TEXTCOLOR, '#000000', CAPCOLOR, '#FFFFFF', OFFSETX, 10, OFFSETY, 10);) spacecraft on its way to  (http://www.everything-science.com/javascript:vo. . .[/quote)

The first stage is an Atlas (Atlas V configuration) - http://www.ilslaunch.com/atlas/atlasv/

The second stage was a Centaur (which is also used on Delta Rockets) - http://www.nasa.gov/centers/glenn/about/history/centaur.html

The MRO lauch vehicle is a Atlas V 401 -

The Atlas V 400 series launch vehicle incorporates a common core booster stage and uses the Centaur upper stage and payload fairing developed for the Atlas II and Atlas III families. A dual-engine Centaur configuration provides additional performance capabilities for low to intermediate orbits. Performance of the 400 series vehicles can be tailored by incorporating up to three solid rocket boosters.

more at http://www.ilslaunch.com/atlas/atlasv/AtlasV400/

The other family is the 500 series - http://www.ilslaunch.com/atlas/atlasv/AtlasV500/

I guess these are the BMW's of rockets  ;D

 :koala