Little Joe 1A
 | |
| Mission type | Abort test |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| Mission duration | 8 minutes, 11 seconds |
| Distance travelled | 18.5 kilometres (11.5 mi) |
| Apogee | 14 kilometres (9 mi) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Mercury boilerplate |
| Manufacturer | McDonnell Aircraft |
| Launch mass | 1,007 kilograms (2,220 lb) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | November 4, 1959, 14:30 UTC |
| Rocket | Little Joe |
| Launch site | Wallops LA-1 |
| End of mission | |
| Landing date | November 4, 1959, 14:38 UTC |
Project Mercury Abort Tests | |
Little Joe 1A (LJ-1A) was an uncrewed rocket launched as part of NASA's Mercury program on November 4, 1959.[1] This flight, a repeat of the Little Joe 1 (LJ-1) launch, was to test a launch abort under high aerodynamic load conditions. After lift-off, the pressure sensing system was to indicate when the correct abort dynamic pressure was reached.[2] This should have happened about thirty seconds after launch.[2] A signal was sent to the explosive bolts to separate the spacecraft from the launch vehicle.[2] Up to this point, everything was going as planned.[2] The impulse was also intended to ignite the escape motor.[2] The motor was ignited, but it took a number of seconds to build up thrust, and thus the abort maneuver was not accomplished at the desired dynamic pressure.[3] Because of this, a repeat of the test was planned. Other events from launch through recovery occurred without incident.[3] An altitude of 9 statute miles (14.5 km) and a range of 11.5 statute miles (18.5 km) were obtained, and a speed of 2,021.6 miles per hour (3,254 km/h) was reached. Flight time 8 minutes 11 seconds.[4] Payload 1,007 kg.
See also
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References
[edit]
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
- ^ "Little Joe Series". history.nasa.gov. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
- ^ a b c d e Grimwood, James M. "November 4, 1959". Project Mercury - A Chronology. NASA. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ a b Shaylor, David J. (2009). Space Rescue - Ensuring the Safety of Manned Spacecraft. Praxis. p. 121. doi:10.1007/978-0-387-73996-0. ISBN 978-0-387-69905-9. Retrieved April 30, 2023.
- ^ "Little Joe 1A". gsfc.nasa.gov. Retrieved April 27, 2023.
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