This day in: 1966, 1970, 1973, 1975, 1980, 1989 & 1990

18 Jul 2010

18 July 1966 During the Gemini 10 mission (Michael Collins and John Young), a scientific experiment package was retrieved from an orbiting Agena craft. This gave evidence of a capability to rendezvous with, and repair/service satellites in Earth orbit. 18 July 1970 The first flight of the Aeritalia (Fiat) G222 general-purpose military transport prototype (1625-0) was made at Torino-Caselle Airport. 18 July 1973 The SNECMA M53 turbofan was flown for the first time, installed on a Caravelle III testbed aircraft. 18 July 1975 The Czechoslovakian Zlin Z50L single-seat aerobaitic competion aircraft made its first flight, at the airfield of Ostrokoviche. It was the first Zlin to be built with an American (Lycoming AEIO-540) engine, and the first to feature a reclining pilot seat, to combat G-forces. 18 July 1980 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully launched the Rohini RS-1 test satellite into Earth orbit, designed primarily to evaluate the efficiency of the launch vehicle. 18 July 1989 United Air Lines announced plans to start passenger services to Europe. 18 July 1990 The CBA-123 19-seat commuter made its flight, at Sao Jose dos Campos, Brazil. CBA stood for Cooperacion Brasil-Argentina, as the project is a cooperation of EMBRAER and the Argentinian company FAMA. The aircraft was powered by 2 turboprop engines mounted on the rear fuselage and driving pusher propellors.

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