1965-05-19 USA Little Joe II Abort Test (A-003)

Little Joe II Abort Test (A-003) launch cover, postmarked Las Cruces N. Mex, May 19, 1965.

A-003 was the fourth abort test of the Apollo spacecraft. This particular flight is notable because during the abort test flight, an actual abort situation occurred, and further proved the Apollo launch escape system (LES). The command module (CM) was successfully pulled away from the malfunctioning Little Joe booster and it landed safely under parachutes.

Photo: The events of a typical Little Joe II abort test flight.