T.S.C. Lowe's Observation Flight

T.S.C. Lowe's Observation Flight (HMT3K)

Location: Washington, DC 20597
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Country: United States of America
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N 38° 53.255', W 77° 1.199'

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Inscription
On June 18, 1861, T.S.C. Lowe made a tethered observation flight with his gas-filled balloon Enterprise from a spot on the National Mall in front of where the National Air and Space Museum now stands. During this flight, he sent the first telegram ever dispatched from the air to President Lincoln in the White House, describing what could be seen from an altitude of 500 feet. The ascent marked the beginning of an observation balloon corps for the U.S. Army, the first American military aeronautical unit, and the birth of aerial reconnaissance in the United States.
Details
HM NumberHMT3K
Tags
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Year Placed2011
Placed ByThe American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics
Marker ConditionNo reports yet
Date Added Sunday, October 12th, 2014 at 10:52am PDT -07:00
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Locationbig map
UTM (WGS84 Datum)18S E 324801 N 4306240
Decimal Degrees38.88758333, -77.01998333
Degrees and Decimal MinutesN 38° 53.255', W 77° 1.199'
Degrees, Minutes and Seconds38° 53' 15.30" N, 77° 1' 11.94" W
Driving DirectionsGoogle Maps
Area Code(s)202
Closest Postal AddressAt or near 601 Independence Ave SW, Washington DC 20597, US
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