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 2019
One Milestone event (5 to 65+ years ago)
Human Spaceflight:
1990 – LAUNCH: STS-32 (Columbia), LC-39A, KSC – 5 person crew, deployed Leasat-2 communications satellite, retrieved Long Duration Exposure Facility
Crew: Daniel Brandenstein, Jim Wetherbee, Bonnie Dunbar, Marsha Ivins, G. David Low – MILESTONE: 35 years ago
Military and Classified Programs:
1961 – USAF identifies need for launch vehicle with 15,000 lb payload capability (early MM Titan III concept)
2019 – USAF contracts with LM to continue GPS Ground Control System Sustainment
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite Programs:
NONE
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
NONE
Other:
NONE
The photos today are from the STS-32 mission in 1990 and include the launch, the crew and the Long Duration Exposure Facility (LDEF) retrieval. The LDEF facility was designed to glean information vital to the development of ISS and other spacecraft, especially the reactions of various space building materials to radiation, extreme temperature changes and collisions with space matter. Photo Credits: NASA.
