January 23, 2024
On this date in 1965, the Department of Defense requested proposals for the design and development of the Manned Orbiting Laboratory (MOL). The MOL program was intended as a manned reconnaissance satellite supporting national defense. However, the MOL program was canceled in June 1969 without any crewed missions being flown.
A 1967 conceptual illustration of the Gemini B capsule separating from the MOL. Image credit: U.S. Airforce, public domain