The events on this day in history for our heritage companies are noted below.
The earliest event was in 1959, the latest event was in 2024
Five milestone events (5 to 65+ years ago)
Human Spaceflight:
1959 – Mercury 7 astronauts introduced to the public
1983 – LANDING: STS-6 (Challenger), Edwards AFB
1994 – LAUNCH: STS-59 (Endeavour), LC39A, KSC – 6 person crew, space radar and materials experiments, earth observations. Crew: Sidney Gutierrez, Kevin Chilton, Jay Apt, Michael Clifford, Linda Godwin, Thomas Jones.
Military and Classified Programs:
1962 – LAUNCH: Classified mission, GD Atlas/Lockheed Agena B, SLC3E, VAFB
1999 – LAUNCH FAILURE: DSP-1 Block 18 F19, LM Titan IVB(402)/IUS – Boeing IUS (Inertial Upper Stage) stages failed to separate
2024 – LAUNCH: NROL-70, ULA Delta IVH, SLC-37B, CCSFS – Last Delta IV Heavy launch.
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
NONE
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1962 – LAUNCH FAILURE: GD Atlas F, LC11, CCAFS
1964 – LAUNCH: MM Titan II, LC15, CCAFS – 23rd and last Titan II test flight at CCAFS
1969 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Poseidon C3, LC25C, CCAFS
1984 – LAUNCH (2): Lockheed Poseidon C3, SSBN645, ETR
1995 – LAUNCH (2): Lockheed Trident D5, SSBN734, ETR – MILESTONE: 30 years ago
Other:
NONE
The photos today are from two events. The first photo is of the Mercury 7 astronauts after they were introduced to the public on this day in 1959. From left to right: M. Scott Carpenter, L. Gordon Cooper, John H. Glenn, Virgil I. “Gus” Grissom, Walter M. Schirra, Alan B. Shepard, Donald K. “Deke” Slayton.
The second photo today is of the last Delta IV Heavy launch in 2024. Here is the caption and credit information from the ULA Flickr photo website:
The final United Launch Alliance (ULA) Delta IV Heavy rocket carrying the NROL-70 mission for the National Reconnaissance Office (NRO) lifts off from Space Launch Complex-37 on April 9 at 12:53 p.m. ET. Photo Credit: United Launch Alliance. ©United Launch Alliance, all rights reserved. The photo is being used for noncommercial and historical purposes for the retirees of LM and ULA.
