Little Joe-Apollo 5 (A-003)

Launch data:

Description:

• On May 19, 1965 NASA launched the third Apollo Little Joe II flight from the White Sands Missile Range to test the Apollo Launch Escape System (LES). Designated Apollo A-003, the flight encountered problems seconds after launch as the ascending rocket began to roll uncontrollably resulting in the breakup of the vehicle and the automatic activation of the LES. Despite the premature end of the flight, the Apollo boilerplate CM was successfully recovered and the mission objectives were met.

External links:

• Drewexmachina.com: Descriptions