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.
One milestone event (5 to 65+ years ago)
Human Spaceflight:
1968 – LAUNCH: Apollo 8, Saturn V, LC39A, KSC – Daring trans-lunar mission with 10 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: Lockheed Corona 75, Thor SLV-2A/Lockheed Agena D, SLC2W, VAFB
1964 – LAUNCH: Classified mission, Thor SLV-2A/Lockheed Agena D, SLC2E, VAFB – MILESTONE: 60 years ago
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: MM 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 the launch and the crew (Jim Lovell, Bill Anders, Frank Borman). Frank Borman passed away in November, 2023 and Bill Anders in June, 2024. Jim Lovell is still with us at the age of 96 as of 12/21/2024. Former GD Space Systems folks may remember Bill Anders and his time there as CEO. Photo Credits: NASA.
