Do you know what an expendable launch system is? These are launch vehicles that can be launched only once. This means that the components are either destroyed during re-entry or are discarded in space after launch.
Also called expendable launch vehicles (ELVs), such systems usually contain several rocket stages. As the vehicle gains altitude and speed, these stages typically are sequentially discarded as and when their fuel is exhausted.
The Titan IIIC was one such ELV. Used majorly by the U.S. Air Force and also by NASA, the rocket consisted of modified liquid-fuel first and second stages with two lateral strap-on solid rockets to enhance boost at lift-off.
