NASA Big Joe 1 Atlas LV-3B
About the Big Joe 1 Mission
| Type | Test Flight |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Suborbital |
Suborbital flight with the objective of testing the Mercury spacecraft ablative heat shield. The Atlas booster section failed to jettison, leading to a lower apogee. It was nonetheless sufficient to satisfy the Mercury spacecraft team.
Launch Pad & Location
Space Launch Complex 14
Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA
| Launches | 20 |
|---|---|
| Orbital Launch Attempts | 16 |
| Total Launches | 1111 |
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
NASA Atlas LV-3B Rocket
The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a human-rated expendable launch system used as part of the United States Project Mercury to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. Manufactured by American aircraft manufacturing company Convair, it was derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile, and was a member of the Atlas family of rockets.
| Length | 28.7 m |
|---|---|
| Diameter | 3.0 m |
| Stages | 1 |
| Launch Mass | 120.0 T |
| Takeoff Thrust | 1,300.0 kN |
| LEO Capacity | 1,360 kg |
| Maiden Flight | 7/29/1960 |
About NASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. NASA have many launch facilities but most are inactive. The most commonly used pad will be LC-39B at Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
| Total Launches | 142 |
|---|---|
| Successful | 122 |
| Failed | 20 |
| Pending | 5 |
| Consecutive Success | 12 |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the NASA Atlas LV-3B Big Joe 1 launch scheduled?
The NASA Atlas LV-3B Big Joe 1 launch was scheduled for:
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Where did the NASA Atlas LV-3B Big Joe 1 mission launch from?
The NASA Atlas LV-3B rocket launched from Space Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA. Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS) is an installation of the United States Space Force's Space Launch Delta 45, located on Cape Canaveral in Brevard County, Florida.
What rocket was used for the Big Joe 1 mission?
The Big Joe 1 mission launched aboard a NASA Atlas LV-3B rocket. The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a human-rated expendable launch system used as part of the United States Project Mercury to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. Manufactured by American aircraft manufacturing company Convair, it was derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile, and was a member of the Atlas family of rockets. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the NASA Atlas LV-3B Big Joe 1 launch?
The NASA Atlas LV-3B Big Joe 1 launch could have been delayed by various weather conditions including lightning within 10 nautical miles, high winds (especially upper-level winds), thick cloud layers, precipitation, and poor visibility. Weather must be favorable at the launch site, downrange landing zones, and abort landing sites.
How can I get updates if the NASA Atlas LV-3B Big Joe 1 launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest NASA Atlas LV-3B launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the Big Joe 1 mission. You can also check our space launch schedule for historical launch information. Our mobile app provides push notifications for instant alerts about launch status changes. Official NASA live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.
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