Little Joe 1B
Little Joe 1B
| Mission Insignia
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| Mission Statistics
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| Mission Name: | Little Joe 1B
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| Call Sign: | LJ-1B
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Number of
Crew Members: | 1 primate
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| Launch: | January 21, 1960
January 21, 1960
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| Duration: | 8 min 35 s
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Number of
Orbits: | suborbital
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| Apogee: | 9 mi
14.5 km
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Distance
Traveled: | 12 mi
19.3 km
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Maximum
velocity: | 2,055 mph
3,307 km/h
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| Peak acceleration: | 4.5 g (44 m/s²)
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| Mass: | 1,007 kg
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| LJ-1B
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The Little Joe 1B was a 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. The mission was launched January 21, 1960, from Wallops Island, Virginia. The Little Joe 1B flew to an apogee of 9 miles (14.5 km) and a range of 12 miles (19.3 km) out to sea. Miss Sam survived the 8 minute 35 second flight in good condition. The spacecraft was recovered by a Marine helicopter and returned to Wallops Island within about 45 minutes. Maximum speed was 2,055 mph (3,307 km/h) and acceleration was 4.5 g (44 m/s²). Miss Sam was one of many Monkeys in space. Payload 1,007 kg.
