NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
Little Joe | LJ-2
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Dec 4, 1959 at 16:20 UTC
▸ Flight profile›
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PADLaunch Area 1
SITEWallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA →ORBITSuborbital
TYPETest Flight
PROGRAMMercury
MISSION OVERVIEW
The Little Joe 2 was a suborbital test flight of the Mercury space capsule, carrying the rhesus monkey Sam close to the edge of space. He was sent to test the space equipment and the adverse effects of space on humans.
LAUNCH DETAILS
VEHICLE
Little JoeMISSION
LJ-2
MISSION TYPE
Test Flight
TARGET ORBIT
Suborbital
LAUNCH PAD
Launch Area 1LAUNCH SITE
Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USAPROGRAM
Mercury
COUNTRY
USA
LAUNCH TIME VERIFICATION
CONFIRMEDPrecision: Minute
LAUNCH LIBRARY 2 PRIMARY
API ID: 89a42fc2-2d31-4c82-857a-c110a438d429
Reported date: Dec 4, 1959 at 16:20 UTC
Last synced: 13 minutes ago
This launch date and time are confirmed by the launch provider. Countdown is active.
LAUNCH MAP
PAD WEATHER
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VEHICLE — Little Joe →
MANUFACTURER
North American Aviation
FLIGHTS
8
SUCCESSES
3
SUCCESS RATE
37.5%
Little Joe was a solid-fueled booster rocket used by NASA for eight launches from 1959-1960 from Wallops Island, Virginia to test the launch escape system and heat shield for Project Mercury capsules.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
When is the Little Joe | LJ-2 launch?
The Little Joe | LJ-2 is scheduled for Friday, December 4, 1959 at 4:20 PM UTC. This is the NET (No Earlier Than) time and may be subject to change. Current status: SUCCESS.
What rocket is being used for LJ-2?
The Little Joe | LJ-2 mission uses the Little Joe rocket, manufactured by North American Aviation. The Little Joe has flown 8 times with a 37.5% success rate.
Where is the Little Joe | LJ-2 launching from?
The launch takes place from Launch Area 1 at Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA.
What orbit is LJ-2 going to?
The LJ-2 mission is targeting Suborbital.
Who is launching LJ-2?
The Little Joe | LJ-2 is operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration. It is part of the Mercury program.
Can I watch the Little Joe | LJ-2 launch live?
Yes. Visit the launch detail page on Space Launch Live for embedded YouTube webcasts, replay videos, and links to live coverage from SpaceX, NASA, NASASpaceflight, and other channels.
LAUNCH TIMELINE
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch added to tracker
Imported from Launch Library 2 API
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch date set: Dec 4, 1959 at 16:20 UTC
NET (No Earlier Than) confirmed by National Aeronautics and Space Administration
Mar 28, 2026 20:12 UTC
Launch completed successfully
Updated via Launch Library 2
LIVE DATA SOURCES
Last data sync: 13 minutes ago
●Launch Library 213 minutes ago
Launch ID: 89a42fc2-2d31-4c82-857a-c110a438d429
●Open-Meteo Weather17 hours ago
Pad weather at 37.94, -75.46
BROWSE BY
Mission Profile
LJ-2 was a Little Joe mission operated by National Aeronautics and Space Administration that lifted off from Launch Area 1, Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA on December 4, 1959. The flight carried its payload on a test flight mission to Suborbital. It was flown as part of the Mercury program. The launch was a success.