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Launch FailureNational Aeronautics and Space Administration

Atlas LV-3B: Mercury-Atlas 3

Uncrewed test flight of the Mercury program. The launch proceeded normally until about T+20 seconds when the pitch and roll sequence failed to initiate and the vehicle instead just continued flying straight upward, requiring early termination of the flight.

Failure:Pitch and roll sequence failed to initiate.
Tuesday, 25 April 1961
Atlas LV-3B: Mercury-Atlas 3

Mission Data

National Aeronautics and Space Administration
🇺🇸National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationEst. 1958
Launch VehicleAtlas LV-3B
Vehicle FamilyAtlas
Vehicle Record7 of 10 launches (70%)
Provider TypeGovernment
Agency Record122 successes / 20 failures (86%)
Success Streak12 consecutive
ProgramMercury · Human Spaceflight
Mission TypeTest Flight
Target OrbitSuborbital
Launch PadSpace Launch Complex 14
Location🇺🇸 Cape Canaveral SFS, FL, USA USA
Agency Launches This Year#7
Launches From This Pad20
Launches From This Site1,132
Status Note

Either the launch vehicle did not reach orbit, or the payload(s) failed to separate.

About Atlas LV-3B

The Atlas LV-3B, Atlas D Mercury Launch Vehicle or Mercury-Atlas Launch Vehicle, was a human-rated expendable launch system used as part of the United States Project Mercury to send astronauts into low Earth orbit. Manufactured by American aircraft manufacturing company Convair, it was derived from the SM-65D Atlas missile, and was a member of the Atlas family of rockets.

Launch Site

Space Launch Complex 14 · 28.4910°N 80.5469°W

Launch data from Launch Library 2 by The Space Devs.