Atlas LV-3B — mission imagery
Back to launches
Partial Failure

Big Joe 1

Atlas LV-3BNational Aeronautics and Space AdministrationSpace Launch Complex 14
Wednesday, September 9, 1959 · 08:19 AM UTCAdd to Calendar

This mission is complete.

Vehicle

Atlas LV-3B

Profile →

Atlas V is an expendable launch system in the Atlas rocket family. It was formerly operated by Lockheed Martin and is now operated by United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture with...

Height59.7 m
LEO Payload18,850 kg
Launches147
Successes122

Provider

National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Profile →

USA • Founded 1958

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is an independent agency of the executive branch of the United States federal government responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and...

Mission Brief

Suborbital flight with the objective of testing the Mercury spacecraft ablative heat shield. The Atlas booster section failed to jettison, leading to a lower apogee. It was nonetheless sufficient to satisfy the Mercury spacecraft team.

PayloadBig Joe 1
OrbitSuborbital
CustomerMercury
Stages2
PadSpace Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Mission Timeline

14 / 14100%

Ground vector

Launch site

Site locked

Space Launch Complex 14

Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA

Global range
SITE LOCK
Latitude
28.491°N
Longitude
80.547°W

Range Weather

Launch commit criteria

Clear
Watch
TrackingNo active constraints
Weather Rules

Tracking no weather issues at this time.

Primary concern
No weather issues
Rule count
0
Temperature
Not reported
Surface wind
Not reported
Window

08:19 AM UTC - 08:19 AM UTC

Delay History

1
Sep 9Sep 9Partial Failure → Partial Failure

Schedule updated