National Aeronautics and Space Administration LJ-1B Little Joe
About the LJ-1B Mission
- Type: Test Flight
- Orbit: Suborbital
The Little Joe 1B was a suborbital launch escape system test of the Mercury spacecraft, conducted as part of the U.S. Mercury program. The mission also carried a female rhesus monkey (Macaca mulatta) named Miss Sam in the Mercury spacecraft.
Launch Pad & Location
Launch Area 1
Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
The Launch Area 1 launch pad has hosted 7 rocket launches, including 0 orbital launch attempts. The Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA launch site has been the location for 86 total rocket launches.
Wallops Flight Facility is a rocket launch site on Wallops Island on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, United States, just east of the Delmarva Peninsula and north-northeast of Norfolk. The facility is operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and primarily serves to support science and exploration missions for NASA and other federal agencies. WFF includes an extensively instrumented range to support launches of more than a dozen types of sounding rockets; small expendable suborbital and orbital rockets; high-altitude balloon flights carrying scientific instruments for atmospheric and astronomical research; and, using its Research Airport, flight tests of aeronautical research aircraft, including uncrewed aerial vehicles.
North American Aviation Little Joe Rocket
Little Joe was a solid-fueled booster rocket used by NASA for eight launches from 1959-1960 from Wallops Island, Virginia to test the launch escape system and heat shield for Project Mercury capsules.
Learn more about the North American Aviation Little Joe Rocket
About National Aeronautics and Space Administration
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.
Learn more about National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Little Joe LJ-1B launch scheduled?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Little Joe LJ-1B launch was scheduled for:
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Where did the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Little Joe LJ-1B mission launch from?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Little Joe rocket launched from Launch Area 1 at Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA. Wallops Flight Facility is a rocket launch site on Wallops Island on the Eastern Shore of Virginia, United States, just east of the Delmarva Peninsula and north-northeast of Norfolk. The facility is operated by the Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland, and primarily serves to support science and exploration missions for NASA and other federal agencies. WFF includes an extensively instrumented range to support launches of more than a dozen types of sounding rockets; small expendable suborbital and orbital rockets; high-altitude balloon flights carrying scientific instruments for atmospheric and astronomical research; and, using its Research Airport, flight tests of aeronautical research aircraft, including uncrewed aerial vehicles.
What rocket was used for the LJ-1B mission?
The LJ-1B mission launched aboard a National Aeronautics and Space Administration Little Joe rocket. Little Joe was a solid-fueled booster rocket used by NASA for eight launches from 1959-1960 from Wallops Island, Virginia to test the launch escape system and heat shield for Project Mercury capsules. Detailed rocket specifications and performance data are available in the rocket details above.
What weather conditions could have delayed the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Little Joe LJ-1B launch?
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration Little Joe LJ-1B 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 National Aeronautics and Space Administration Little Joe LJ-1B launch was delayed?
This page was updated in real-time with the latest National Aeronautics and Space Administration Little Joe launch status, including any delays or scrubs for the LJ-1B 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 National Aeronautics and Space Administration live streams provided the most immediate range updates during the launch window.