The events on this day in history for our heritage companies are noted below.
The earliest event was in 1956, the latest event was in 2010
Two milestone events (5 to 65+ years ago)
Human Spaceflight:
NONE
Military and Classified Programs:
1965 – LAUNCH FAILURE: OV1-3, GD Atlas D, 576-B3, VAFB – USAF observatories to measure the effects of space on human systems (simulated)
1979 – LAUNCH: Classified mission, MM Titan 24B, SCL4W, VAFB – MILESTONE: 45 years ago
2010 – LAUNCH: GPS IIF-1 (SVN62), ULA Delta 4M+(4,2), LC37B, CCAFS
Exploration and Interplanetary Programs:
NONE
Earth-Monitoring and Civil Weather Satellite programs:
1958 – LAUNCH FAILURE: Vanguard 2B, Martin Vanguard SLV-1, LC18A, CCAFS – attributed to second stage thrust chamber rupture
Commercial Programs:
NONE
Test, ICBM, FBM programs:
1956 – First test firing of XLR-87-AJ-1 Aerojet-General engine designated for Martin Titan I Stage I
1958 – GD Atlas production facility opens on Kearny Mesa, California
1964 – GD Atlas E update program completed two months ahead of schedule – MILESTONE: 60 years ago
1975 – LAUNCH: Lockheed Poseidon C3, SSBN617, ETR
1980 – LAUNCH (4): Lockheed Trident C4, SSBN657, ETR
Other:
NONE
The photo today shows the extent of the Kearny Mesa GD facility that was taken by the San Diego city photographer in 1967; the Kearny Mesa facility opened in 1958 on this day to begin Atlas production. The photo was found in the historical archives for the City of San Diego and has the following description (the photo is available for public download from the city archives):
Aerial view of Kearny Mesa taken in 1967, with General Dynamics and Missile Park in site. Kearny Mesa is named for the former Camp Kearny, a U.S. military base which operated in the area from 1917 to 1946 and eventually became Marine Corps Air Station Miramar. The urbanization of Kearny Mesa began in 1937 with Gibbs Airfield, now the small airfield Montgomery Field. Beginning in 1955, General Dynamics, numerous aerospace, electronic, and other industrial and office firms located in the area.
