General Dynamics Missile Serial Number:   57-2628

General Dynamics Manufacturing Number:   10D

NASA Missile Tail Number:   628

Missile Acceptance Date:   Unknown

Missile Delivery Date:   Unknown

ICBM Squadron Number:   N/A

ICBM Squadron Site Assignment:   N/A

Missile Destination:   Cape Canaveral Florida

Missile Mission:   NASA Testing of Mercury Capsule

Missile Launch Date:   9/9/1959

Missile Launch Payload:   Mercury Test Capsule - Big Joe 1

Missile Launch Location:   Stand 14

Missile Launch Outcome:   Partial Failure

Notes:   The spacecraft test was successful, but the Launch Vehicle was considered a failure. The two outboard engines did not jettison from the centerline sustainer engine after their fuel was exhausted due to bad electrical contacts. The added weight of the booster engines retarded velocity by 3,000 feet per second and the capsule separated from the booster 138 seconds too late. The planned range was not achieved and impact point of the capsule was 500 miles short of target. The test capsule was successfully recovered about 7 hours after launch, when the Destroyer Strong reported that she had netted the boilerplate capsule intact.