LJ-5A (14)

Little Joe 5A

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Little Joe (7)

Crew:

Unmanned

Milestones:

Payload:

Spacecraft 14

Mission Objective:

Max Q escape and impact test. Purpose was to demonstrate primarily the structural integrity of the highest dynamic pressure anticipated during an Atlas launch for orbital flight.

Launch:

March 18, 1961, Wallops Island. 19 seconds after launch, the escape tower fired prematurely. The signal to initiate an abort was given and the launch vehicle-adapter clamp ring was released. However, the spacecraft remained on the launch vehicle since the escape motor was already expended. Separation was then effected by using the retrorockets but this command was transmitted before the flight reached its apex, where separation had been planned. The separation was violent.

Orbit:

Altitude: 7.7 statute miles

Orbits: 0

Duration: 0 Days, 0 hours, 23 min, 48 seconds

Distance: 18 statute miles

Velocity: 1,783 mph

Max Q: 1,580 psf

Max G: 8

Landing:

The parachutes deployed at 40,000ft and after recovery the spacecraft actually incurred only superficial structural damage. The spacecraft was later used for the Little Joe 5B (LJ-5B) flight test.

Mission Highlights:

Mission partially successful. Test objectives not met.

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