Little Joe II

Little Joe II was an American rocket used from 1963–1966 for five uncrewed tests of the Apollo spacecraft launch escape system (LES), and to verify the performance of the command module parachute recovery system in abort mode. It was named after a similar rocket designed for the same function in Project Mercury. Launched from White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, it was the smallest of four launch rockets used in the Apollo program.

Human-rating of the Apollo launch escape system was planned to be accomplished at minimum cost early in the program. Since there were no reasonably priced launch vehicles with the payload capability and thrust versatility that could meet the requirements of the planned tests, a contract was awarded for the development and construction of a specialized launch vehicle. The rocket’s predecessor, Little Joe, had been used in testing the launch escape system for the Mercury spacecraft from 1959–60.

Nr   TNr  Vehicle                            Date          LS            Payload    

8    1    Little-Joe-2 (6-1-0)               28.08.1963  WS LC-36 *    QTV 
9    2    Little-Joe-2 (6-1-0)               13.05.1964  WS LC-36 *    Apollo 001 (BP 12)
10   1    Little-Joe-2 (4-2-0)               08.12.1964  WS LC-36 *    Apollo 002 (BP 23)
11   1    Little-Joe-2 (0-3-3)               19.05.1965  WS LC-36 * F  Apollo 003 (BP 22)
12   1    Little-Joe-2 (5-2-2)               20.01.1966  WS LC-36 *    Apollo 004 (CM 002)


Launch sites:

WS  = White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, USA