The events on this day in history for our heritage companies are noted below.
The earliest event was in 1958, the latest event was in 2016
Human Spaceflight:
1965 – SPLASHDOWN: Gemini VII (Borman/Lovell) – 14 day record in space for astronauts set (for that time, since exceeded significantly)
Military and Classified Programs:
1958 – LAUNCH: SCORE, GD Atlas B, LC11, CCAFS – First successful launch of a satellite using Atlas as a launch vehicle
1963 – LAUNCH: Classified mission, GD Atlas/Lockheed Agena D, SLC4W, VAFB
2004 – LAUNCH: UHF F/O F11, LM Atlas 3B, LC36B, CCAFS
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
1999 – LAUNCH: LM Terra, LM Atlas IIAS, SLC3E, VAFB – Earth observing program
Commercial Programs:
1996 – LAUNCH: LM (GE) Inmarsat 3 F3, LM Atlas IIA, LC36B, CCAFS
2016 – LAUNCH: Echostar 19, ULA Atlas V 431, LC41, CCAFS
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1962 – LAUNCH FAILURE: GD Atlas E, OSTF1, VAFB
1963 – LAUNCH: GD Atlas D, 576-A1, VAFB
1963 – LAUNCH: GD Atlas F, OSTF2, VAFB – – Final Atlas R&D launch (57 successes, 38 failures)
1997 – LAUNCH: LM Trident D-5, SSBN743, ETR
2001 – LAUNCH (4): LM Trident C-4, SSBN726, ETR
Other:
1961 – UTC/CSD introduces a new method for steering large solid rocket motors known as Thrust Vector Control (TVC) – injection of liquid propellant into the plume for steering
The photo today is the launch of SCORE (Signal Communications by Orbiting Relay Equipment), the first purpose-built communications satellite and the first successful usage of Atlas as a launch vehicle in 1958. This mission became known as the “talking Atlas”. A transmitted message from President Eisenhower was broadcast:
“This is the President of the United States speaking. Through the marvels of scientific advance, my voice is coming to you from a satellite circling in outer space. My message is a simple one: Through this unique means I convey to you and to all mankind, America’s wish for peace on Earth and goodwill toward men everywhere.”