Little Joe

All Little Joe launches took place from Wallops Island, Virginia.

Little Joe 1
  Launch date: 21 August 1959
  Duration: 20 seconds
  Objective: Test launch escape system
  Result: Escape tower launched early with the boiler plate capsule, rocket never left ground

Little Joe 6
  Launch date: 4 October 1959
  Duration: 5 minutes, 10 seconds
  Objective: Test aerodynamics and integrity with boiler plate capsule
  Result: Partial success

Little Joe 1A
  Launch date: 4 November 1959
  Duration: 8 minutes, 11 seconds
  Objective: Test launch escape system with boiler plate capsule
  Result: Tower ignited 10 seconds late
  Recovery: USS Opportune ARS-41

Little Joe 2
  Launch date: 4 December 1959
  Duration: 11 minutes, 6 seconds
  Objective: Test launch escape system with primate aboard a boiler plate capsule
  Result: Carried Sam (rhesus macaque) to an altitude of 53 miles (85 km)
  Recovery: USS Borie DD-704

Little Joe 1B
  Launch date: 21 January 1960
  Duration: 8 minutes, 35 seconds
  Objective: Test max-Q and launch escape system with primate aboard a boiler plate capsule
  Result: Carried Miss Sam (rhesus macaque)
  Recovery: Marine helicopter

Little Joe 5
  Launch date: 8 November 1960
  Duration: 2 minutes, 22 seconds
  Objective: Test max-Q and launch escape system with production capsule
  Result: Tower ignited early and failed to separate spacecraft

Little Joe 5A
  Launch date: 18 March 1961
  Duration: 5 minutes, 25 seconds
  Objective: Test max-Q and launch escape system with production capsule
  Result: Tower ignited early and failed to separate spacecraft

Little Joe 5B
  Launch date: 28 April 1961
  Duration: 2 minutes, 22 seconds
  Objective: Test max-Q and launch escape system with production capsule
  Result: Success

 

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Page last modified: 11 July 2024 15:46:33.