SOLRAD 1 was a science and surveillance satellite launched into orbit on June 22, 1960. Developed by the US Naval Research Laboratory, it was the first satellite to successfully observe solar X-rays, the first to conduct surveillance from orbit, and the first to be launched with another instrumented satellite (the unrelated navigation satellite, Transit 2A). The scientific mission was a success, sending data that determined normal solar X-ray output and confirmed the connection between increased solar X-ray activity and radio fade-outs. The Galactic Radiation and Background electronic surveillance package on board had a covert mission: mapping the Soviet Union's air defense radar network. This mission was also successful, operating through September 22, 1960, and revealing that the network was more extensive than had been expected. SOLRAD 1 was switched off in April 1961, making it the first satellite to be remotely deactivated.
Read more: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SOLRAD_1
_______________________________ Today's selected anniversaries:
1807:
The British warship HMS Leopard pursued and attacked the American frigate USS Chesapeake in the belief that the latter had deserters from the Royal Navy. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chesapeake%E2%80%93Leopard_affair
1911:
George V and Mary of Teck (both pictured) were crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom at Westminster Abbey in London. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_of_Teck
1941:
World War II: As Axis troops began their invasion of the Soviet Union, the Lithuanian Activist Front started an uprising to liberate Lithuania from Soviet occupation. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_Uprising_in_Lithuania
2009:
Two Metro trains in Washington, D.C., collided, killing nine people and injuring eighty others. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/June_2009_Washington_Metro_train_collision
_____________________________ Wiktionary's word of the day:
smorgasbord: 1. A Swedish-style buffet comprising a variety of cold sandwiches and other dishes; (by extension) any buffet with a wide selection of dishes. 2. (figuratively) An abundant and diverse collection of things. https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/smorgasbord
___________________________ Wikiquote quote of the day:
Every mission constitutes a pledge of duty. Every man is bound to consecrate his every faculty to its fulfilment. He will derive his rule of action from the profound conviction of that duty. --Giuseppe Mazzini https://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Giuseppe_Mazzini