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 2011.
One milestone event (5 to 65+ years ago)
Human Spaceflight:
1961 – Martin Company proposes use of the Titan II for lunar landings (presented by Albert C. Hall); this led to a larger briefing the next day and interest was expressed in using the Titan II as a NASA launch vehicle
1992 – LAUNCH: STS-49 (Endeavour), LC39B, KSC – 7 person crew; retrieved Intelsat 6 and attached a kick motor; Intelsat 6 was stranded in useless orbit by MM Commercial Titan on 3/14/1990 – First flight of OV Endeavour. Crew: Daniel Brandenstein, Kevin Chilton, Richard Hieb, Bruce Melnick, Pierre Thuot, Kathryn Thornton, Thomas Akers.
Military and Classified Programs:
2003 – LM and Spectrum Astro announce partnership to build the next generation GPS satellites
2011 – LAUNCH: LM SBIRS GEO-1, ULA Atlas V 401, LC41, CCAFS
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
1954 – LAUNCH: Martin Viking 10 (aeronomy/photograph), LC33, White Sands, New Mexico – MILESTONE: 70 years ago
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1971 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Polaris A2, EAG-154, WTR
1998 – LAUNCH: LM Peacekeeper, LF-05, VAFB
Other:
NONE
The photos today are from two missions. First there are photos from the launch, crew and the rescue of Intelsat 6 satellite from the STS-49 mission in 1992. This was the first mission for Endeavour. Photo Credits: NASA.
Second, there is a photo of the launch of SBIRS GEO-1 on Atlas V in 2011. Here is information about this photo:
The photo was found on the USAF/USSF Photo Archives and is labeled “Public Domain” with the following description and disclaimer as requested by DoD:
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Fla. (May 7, 2011) – The Air Force’s Space Based Infrared Systems GEO-1 payload is launched aboard a United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 here at 2:10 p.m. EDT. SBIRS is designed to provide global, overhead, persistent, infrared surveillance capability to meet 21st century demands in mission areas including missile warning, missile defense, technical intelligence and battlespace awareness. (Courtesy photo by Pat Corkery, United Launch Alliance)
Non-Commercial Use Authorized. Except in cases where productions are authorized for DoD assistance, DoD VI [Visual Information] may be distributed, copied, and used, for non-commercial, personal use, as well as historical and newsworthy purposes or activities. Display of the non-DoD endorsement disclaimer is requested.
“The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement.”
