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| "Mr SAM" launch cover with Goldcraft cachet, postmarked Wallops Island, December 4, 1959. |
Little Joe 2 mission was to test the effectiveness of the escape system and effects on the capsule under conditions of abort when the missile had reached a considerable altitude, and to test the effects of an abort flight on a primate. The recovery was commanded by CTF 140 in his flagship, USS Norfolk DL 1 at Norfolk, Va. Weather conditions were marginal with winds of 30-35 knots in the recovery area. Due to the rough weather, helos could not be launched. A P2V received SARAH and ECM radiation from the capsule and homed in on it, sighting it 30 minutes after launch time. P2V's remained on top of the capsule until USS Borie DD 704 arrived and recovered it in very rough seas about 2 hours after launch. Sam was removed from the capsule onboard Borie and found to be in good condition. (Extracted from the book "PROJECT MERCURY ...one step into space" by Donald O. Schultz)
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| Photo: Monkey SAM |
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| Photo: SAM suited up for the spaceflight. |
