The events on this day in history for our heritage companies are noted below.
The earliest event was in 1955, the latest event was in 2001
No milestone events (5 to 65+ years ago)
Human Spaceflight:
NONE
Military and Classified Programs:
NONE
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
1967 – LAUNCH PARTIAL FAILURE: OV1-08,11,12, GD Atlas D, 576-B3, VAFB – stage I
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1955 – USAF Directive 76 declares maximum priority for ICBM development
1956 – LAUNCH FAILURE: Lockheed X-17, LC3, CCAFS
1962 – LAUNCH (4): Lockheed Polaris A1, SSBN598, ETR
1978 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Polaris A3, LC29A, CCAFS
2001 – LAUNCH FAILURE: LM Peacekeeper, LF02, VAFB
Other:
NONE
The photo today is an example of a Polaris A1 launch; this happens to be the first Polaris A1 launch that occurred on July 20, 1960 (that was a very a busy day in space history, so I will feature it here on a slower day). Here is the information about the launch. This photo and information was found on the Defense Visual Information Distribution Service and is released to the public domain with the following descriptions and disclaimers:
ATLANTIC OCEAN (July 20, 1960) – The first unarmed Polaris A1 Missile successfully launches from the fleet ballistic missile submarine USS George Washington (SSBN 598) off the coast of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This inaugural launch came just four years after the Navy and industry teams began researching and developing this capability. Today, the Sea-Based Strategic Deterrence mission continues. The current generation of submarine launched ballistic missile—the Trident II D5/D5LE—along with the Intercontinental ballistic missile and nuclear capable bombers create the nation’s strategic nuclear deterrence capability. The triad of capabilities – SLBMs, ICBMs and nuclear capable bombers – are each undergoing modernization to ensure our nation’s ability to serve as the backbone of our nation’s security. The U.S. Navy Strategic Systems Programs (SSP) mission remains ever vital for the safety and security of the U.S. and her citizens at home and abroad. (U.S. Navy Photo/Released)
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.”
