The events on this day in history for our heritage companies are noted below.
The earliest event was in 1959, the latest was in 2023
Two milestone events (5 to 65+ years ago)
Human Spaceflight:
1969 – LAUNCH: Apollo 10, Saturn V, LC39B, KSC – Lunar orbit “dress rehearsal” of all systems; Gene Cernan, Tom Stafford, John Young – MILESTONE: 55 years ago
Military and Classified Programs:
1963 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Corona 64, Thor SLV-2A/Lockheed Agena D, SLC1E, VAFB
1965 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Corona 95, Thor SLV-2A/Lockheed Agena D, SLC1E, VAFB
2021 – LAUNCH: LM SBIRS GEO-5, ULA Atlas V 421, LC-41, CCSFS
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
1968 – LAUNCH FAILURE: RCA Nimbus B, Thor SLV-2G/Lockheed Agena D, SLC2E, VAFB
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1959 – LAUNCH FAILURE: Lockheed Polaris AX, LC25A, CCAFS – MILESTONE: 65 years ago
1960 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Polaris A1, LC25B, CCAFS
Other:
NONE
The photos today are from two missions. First, there is the launch of Apollo 10 and its crew in 1969 (Commander Tom Stafford, CM Pilot John Young, LM Pilot Gene Cernan). Photo Credits: NASA.
Second, there is a photo of the launch of SBIRS GEO-5. Here is the description and disclaimers of this photo that was released into the public domain on the USAF/USSF archives:
The U.S. Space Force successfully launched the fifth Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous Earth Orbit satellite on an Atlas V launch vehicle from Space Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, May 18, at 1:37 p.m. (Courtesy Photo)
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.”
