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Shortly after the Challenger accident in 1986, when the US government decided to offload commercial payloads from the Space Shuttle, Martin Marietta announced plans to develop a Titan III commercial launch vehicle with its own funds. The commercial Titan III is derived from the Titan 34D with a stretched second stage and a bulbous shroud for dual or dedicated payloads. The first commercial Titan III was launched with two communications satellites in December 1989. Table 44 shows a summary of Titan space-vehicle configurations since Gemini.1101 Confi ation II Gemini IIIB 34B IIIC HID IIIE 34D IISLV III Commercial IV 9/10/96 Table 44. Summa of Titan Vehicle Confi rations Descri Titan II ICBM converted to a man-rated vehicle Same as Titan II Gemini except stretched stages 1 and 2, and an inte al Trans Same as IIIA e Same as IIIC ex ·Same as 34B with added 5½-segment SRMs. Uses either Transtage orIUSu e Refurbished II ICBM with 10-foot diameter PLF Same as 34D except stretched stage 2, single or dual carrier, enhanced liquid-rocket engines, and 13.1-foot diameter PLF. Can use P AM-D2, Transta e, or TOS u er sta e Same as 34D except stretched stages 1 and 2, 7-segment SRM or 3- segment SRMU, and 16.7-foot diameter PLF. Can use IUS or Centaur u er sta e 147 RTI