November 4, 1959 2:30 pm

LJ-1A

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Little Joe

Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
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November 4, 1959 2:30 pm

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Last Updated:

2026-07-14 00:05:35

Little Joe 1A (LJ-1A) was an unmanned rocket launched as part of NASA’s Mercury program on November 4, 1959. This flight, a repeat of the Little Joe 1 (LJ-1) launch, was to test a launch abort under high aerodynamic load conditions. Due to a delayed in the escape motor startup, the abort maneuver was not accomplished at the desired dynamic pressure, requiring a repeat of the test.
Launch Overview
Window Open 14:30 UTC
Window Close 14:30 UTC
Lift Off Nov 4, 1959 · 14:30 UTC
Launch Facility Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
Launch Pad Launch Area 1
Target Orbit Suborbital
Payload Overview
Customer National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Payload LJ-1A
Rocket Little Joe
Destination Suborbital
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship
Little Joe 1A (LJ-1A) was an unmanned rocket launched as part of NASA’s Mercury program on November 4, 1959. This flight, a repeat of the Little Joe 1 (LJ-1) launch, was to test a launch abort under high aerodynamic load conditions. Due to a delayed in the escape motor startup, the abort maneuver was not accomplished at the desired dynamic pressure, requiring a repeat of the test.

Height

LEO Payload

Total Launches

Status

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Launch Area 1
Launch Overview
Window Open 14:30 UTC
Window Close 14:30 UTC
Lift Off Nov 4, 1959 · 14:30 UTC
Launch Facility Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA
Launch Pad Launch Area 1
Target Orbit Suborbital
Payload Overview
Customer National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Payload LJ-1A
Rocket Little Joe
Destination Suborbital
Recovery Overview
Landing Location See Mission Notes
Landing Type RTLS / Droneship

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