More Details for 1966-01-20
Original archive entry. The text, images and links below are kept as they were written.
Little Joe II A-004
Apollo Mission A-004 was successfully accomplished at White Sands Missile Range. This was the first flight test utilizing the Apollo Block I type spacecraft and the sixth and final test of the Apollo CSM development program at WSMR.
Primary test objectives were:
- to demonstrate satisfactory launch escape vehicle performance for an abort in the power-on, tumbling boundary region; and
- to demonstrate the structural integrity of the launch escape vehicle airframe for an abort in the power-on, tumbling boundary region. The Little Joe II launch vehicle boosted the 4,536-kg 5-ton unmanned spacecraft to a 24-km (15-mi) altitude.
The only significant anomaly recorded was loss of RE telemetry about two seconds after abort.