Little Joe II Qualification Test Vehicle explained

Little Joe II Qualification Test Vehicle should not be confused with TVQ.

Little Joe II QTV
Insignia:Apollo program.svg
Mission Type:Test flight
Operator:NASA
Mission Duration:~5 min
Distance Travelled:14km (09miles)
Suborbital Apogee:7.32km (04.55miles)
Launch Date: UTC
Launch Rocket:Little Joe II
Launch Site:White Sands LC-36
Next Mission:Pad Abort Test 1
Programme:Project Apollo
Abort Tests

QTV (Qualification Test Vehicle) was the first test flight of the Apollo Little Joe II rocket. It was launched in August 1963.

Objectives

The Little Joe II Qualification Test Vehicle was launched on its first flight from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico, Area # 3. The mission objectives were to prove the Little Joe II rocket's capability as an Apollo CSM test vehicle and to determine base pressures and heating on the rocket.

Flight

Little Joe II QTV was the first flight of the Little Joe II rockets. It was launched from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico on August 28, 1963 from Launch Complex 36, Area number 3. The vehicle payload consisted of a simulated command and service module (rather than a boilerplate spacecraft, as used on later test flights) and an inert launch escape system.

Most objectives were achieved. The lone failure was a malfunction in the destruct system.

References

External links