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 1977
One milestone event (5 to 65+ years ago)
Human Spaceflight:
1958 – Dyna-Soar Phase I contracts announced – Two teams competing for final award, one led by Boeing and one by Martin Company
1969 – Contracts awarded to North American Rockwell, McDonnell Douglas, General Dynamics/Convair, and Lockheed Missiles and Space to evaluate designs for Space Transportation System – MILESTONE: 55 years ago
Military and Classified Programs:
1961 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Discoverer 25, Thor/Lockheed Agena B, SLC2E, VAFB
1966 – LAUNCH: GGTS-1 and IDCSP (Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program) 1-1 through 1-7, MM Titan IIIC, LC20, CCAFS – record set at the time for number of spacecraft placed in geo orbit
1967 – LAUNCH: Classified mission, Thor SLV-2G/Lockheed Agena D, SLC1W, VAFB
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
NONE
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1965 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Polaris A1, LC25A, CCAFS
1972 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Poseidon C3, SSBN640, ETR
1977 – LAUNCH (5): Lockheed Polaris A3, SSBN610, WTR
Other:
NONE
The photos today are from the Titan IIIC (Transtage) launch in 1966 that deployed eight spacecraft in geostationary orbit. The photos include the launch and an artist’s conception of the deployment trajectory.
The photo and image were found on the USAF/USSF photo archives library and are labeled public domain with the following description and disclaimers:
Titan IIIC-11 successfully launches 7 Initial Defense Communications Satellite Program (IDCSP) satellites and 1 experimental satellite from Cape Canaveral on 16 June 1966. (USAF photo).
Artist’s concept of IDCSP satellites being released in orbit from their Titan IIIC launch vehicle. The IDCSP constellation consisted of 26 operational satellites. (USAF photo)
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