The events on this day in history for our heritage companies are noted below.
The earliest event was in 1961, the latest event was in 2003.
Human Spaceflight:
1968 – LAUNCH: Apollo 8, Saturn V, LC39A, KSC – Daring trans-lunar mission with lunar orbits using the command module (second Apollo mission, first crew launched on a Saturn V). Crew: Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, Bill Anders
Military and Classified Programs:
1961 – Production contract awarded by USAF to UTC/CSD for Titan III program solid rocket boosters
1963 – LAUNCH:: Classified mission, Thor SLV-2A/Lockheed Agena D, SLC2W, VAFB
1964 – LAUNCH: Classified mission, Thor SLV-2A/Lockheed Agena D, SLC2E, VAFB
1965 – LAUNCH: LES-3,-4, MM Titan IIIC/Transtage 8, LC41, CCAFS – First launch from LC41, third burn of test mission for Transtage unsuccessful
1966 – LAUNCH: Prime 1, GD Atlas SLV-3, SLC3E, VAFB – lifting body re-entry vehicle
1972 – LAUNCH: Classified mission, MM Titan 24B, SLC4W, VAFB
1982 – LAUNCH: RCA AMS-5 (DMSP), GD Atlas E, SLC3W, VAFB
2003 – LAUNCH: LM GPS IIR-10 (SVN 53), Delta 7925-9.5, LC17B, CCAFS
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
1963 – LAUNCH: RCA Tiros 8, Thor Delta B, LC17B, CCAFS
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1961 – LAUNCH FAILURE: GD Atlas F, LC11, CCAFS
Other:
NONE
The photos today are from the audacious Apollo 8 mission, which completed 10 orbits around the moon and was the second manned Apollo mission. The photos include launch, the mission patch, and the crew (Jim Lovell, Bill Anders, Frank Borman). Frank Borman passed away in November, 2023. Jim Lovell and Bill Anders are still alive as of 12/21/2023. Former GD Space Systems folks may remember Bill Anders and his time there as CEO.