Little Joe 5B was an unmanned test of the launch escape system for the Mercury spacecraft, conducted as part of the U.S. Mercury program. The mission utilized production Mercury spacecraft #14A and was launched on April 28, 1961, from Wallops Island, Virginia. Little Joe 5B reached an apogee of 2.8 miles (4.5 km) and traveled a distance of 9 miles (14 km). The mission lasted 5 minutes and 25 seconds, achieving a maximum speed of 1,780 mph (2,865 km/h) and an acceleration of 10 g (98 m/s²). The mission was deemed a success, and Mercury spacecraft #14A was recovered.
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| Little Joe 5B launch cover with hand cancel and machine cancel, April 28, 1961, from Wallops Island |
(Reference from
Little Joe 5B)
