Little Joe 5B: Meaning (information, definition, explanation, facts)

Little Joe 5B

Mission Insignia
Mission Statistics
Mission Name:	Little Joe 5B
Call Sign:	LJ-5B
Number of Crew Members:	0
Launch:	April 28, 1961 Wallops Island
Landing:	April 28, 1961
Duration:	5 min 25 s
Number of Orbits:	suborbital
Apogee:	2.8 mi 4.5 km
Distance Traveled:	9 mi 14.5 km
Maximum velocity:	1,780 mph 2,865 km/h
Peak acceleration:	10 g
Mass:	1,141 kg
LJ-5B

Little Joe 5B was an unmanned Launch Escape System test of the Mercury spacecraft, conducted as part of the U.S. Mercury program. The mission used production Mercury spacecraft # 14A. The mission was launched April 28, 1961, from Wallops Island, Virginia. The Little Joe 5B flew to an apogee of 2.8 miles (4.5 km) and a range of 9 miles (14 km). The mission lasted 5 minutes 25 seconds. Maximum speed was 1,780 mph (2865 km/h) and acceleration was 10 g (98 m/s²). The mission was a success and Mercury spacecraft # 14A was recovered. Mass 1,141 kg.

Mercury spacecraft # 14A used in the Little Joe 5B mission , is currently displayed at the Virginia Air and Space Center, Hampton, VA . Mercury spacecraft #14A display page on A Field Guide to American Spacecraft website.