The events on this day in history for our heritage companies are noted below.
The earliest event was in 1957, the latest event was in 2022
Human Spaceflight:
1973 – MM X-24B flight 33, Dryden Lake – Pilot Michael Love
Military and Classified Programs:
2014 – LAUNCH: GPS IIF-3 (SVN65), ULA Delta 4M+(4,2), LC36B, CCAFS
2022 – LAUNCH: SES-20, 21, ULA Atlas V 531, LC-41, CCSFS – last flight of 531 configuration
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
NONE
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1961 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Polaris A2, EAG-154, ETR
1963 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Polaris A3, EAG-154, ETR
1963 – LAUNCH FAILURE: GD Atlas F, OSTF-2, VAFB
Other:
1957 – LAUNCH: Sputnik 1, Sputnik 8K71PS, LC1, Baikonur, USSR – MAJOR space milestone – first orbiting satellite
1958 – Cooke AFB redesignated Vandenberg AFB
The photos today are from two missions. First, there are photos of the Sputnik satellite (replica) and its launch; a schematic of the satellite is also included. This was a major space milestone, leading to a concerned national reaction and rapid ramping up of space activities by the United States. Also, a photo is included of the Atlas launch of SES-20 and -21 C-band communication satellites in 2022 (the last 531 configuration).