Debra Garcia y Griego, Cabinet Secretary for Department of Cultural Affairs | americansforthearts.org
The New Mexico Museum of Space History in Alamogordo has begun a restoration project on its Little Joe II rocket, a centerpiece of the museum’s Rocket Park. The refurbishment aims to return the rocket to its original condition and will temporarily close both the Rocket Park and nearby playground for safety.
Little Joe II, acquired by the museum in 1985, is one of only two remaining rockets of its type. Standing 86 feet tall and weighing approximately 41,000 pounds, it has been exposed to desert conditions for decades. Restoration specialists from Blast Off, Inc. are expected to complete the work within 90 days.
Originally tested at White Sands Missile Range between 1963 and 1966, Little Joe II was instrumental in testing critical systems for NASA’s Apollo program. It helped verify the Launch Escape System (LES) and Command Module parachute recovery during abort scenarios, ensuring astronaut safety for future lunar missions. The rocket used nine solid-fueled motors to simulate emergency flight paths for “boilerplate” test spacecraft.
Archival footage of Little Joe II launches can be viewed on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cGxZ3Jvzkmo&t=182s.
NASA engineer Max Faget named the rocket “Little Joe” after noticing that its four fins resembled a dice roll known as "Little Joe" in craps—a hard four or two twos.
The restoration is intended to preserve Little Joe II so that visitors can continue learning about its role in advancing human spaceflight and supporting the Apollo missions.
The New Mexico Museum of Space History operates under the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is a Smithsonian Affiliate. The museum highlights New Mexico’s contributions to U.S. space exploration through exhibits such as the International Space Hall of Fame and New Horizons Dome Theater.
For further information, visitors can contact (575) 437-2840 or visit www.nmspacemuseum.org.
