The Titan III was a family of expendable launch vehicles developed by NASA and used primarily during the 1960s and 1970s. It was designed to carry heavy payloads into orbit, including satellites and interplanetary missions. The Titan III featured a two-stage design, with the first stage powered by Titan II engines and the second stage utilizing the Centaur upper stage for precise orbital insertion. The Titan III played a significant role in various space missions, including launching Viking spacecraft to Mars and Pioneer probes for deep space exploration. Its reliability and capacity made it a key player in the United States' space program during its operational years.