The events on this day in history for our heritage companies are noted below:
The earliest event was in 1963, the latest event was in 2011
Human Spaceflight:
1966 – LAUNCH: Gemini IX-A ATDA, GD Atlas SLV-3, LC14, CCAFS – ATDA was the Atlas Target Docking Adapter, a backup to the Lockheed Agena. The planned launch of an Agena failed in May.
2011 – LANDING: STS-134 (Endeavour), KSC – last flight of Endeavour
Military and Classified Programs:
NONE
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
1971 – Martin Marietta and GD given the approval to proceed with the construction of two Titan III/Centaur vehicles and make pad modifications at LC41 (intended for Titan IIIE program and exploration mission launches)
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
NONE
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1963 – GD Atlas F exploded during propellant loading, Walker AFB, New Mexico
1968 – LAUNCH: GD Atlas F, 576-A2, VAFB
1970 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Polaris A3, UK S27, ETR
1977 – LAUNCH(2): Lockheed Poseidon C3, SSBN616, ETR
Other:
1974 – USAF transferred responsibility for the GD Atlas SLV-3 standard design to NASA
The photos today are of the launch of the Atlas Target Docking Adapter on Atlas SLV-3 for the Gemini IX-A mission in 1966 and the Adapter in orbit. The primary docking target (Agena D) failed during launch in May. Docking could not be accomplished with this backup adapter because the protective shroud did not fully separate. It became known as the “angry alligator by the crew (they launched on June 3).
