 |
| Little Joe 6 launch cover with Goldcraft cachet, postmarked Wallops Island, March 18, 1961. |
Little Joe 6 (aka Little Joe 5A) mission is similar to Little Joe 5, that is to demonstrate the performance of the spacecraft and the escape system under the most adverse loading conditions to be expected during an Atlas launch. After the maneuver had been executed, the main and reserve parachutes deployed prematurely. On landing, the parachute remained attached to the spacecraft, precluding helo recovery. USS Recovery recovered the spacecraft using Shepard's Crook method one hour and nine minutes after launch. The escape tower was not located. (Extracted from the book "PROJECT MERCURY ...one step into space" by Donald O. Schultz)
 |
| Photo:Launch of Little Joe 6 rocket. |
 |
| Little Joe 6 launch cover with a machine cancel, Wallops Island, March 18, 1961. Signed by William B. Hudson. |
