On 31 January 1961, a young chimpanzee named Ham made history as the first hominid to be launched into space. His suborbital flight aboard the Mercury-Redstone 2 mission was part of Project Mercury, a US program that laid the groundwork for human space exploration. 🧵⬇️ (1/5) - ThreadSky

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wikipedia.org • 92 days ago

On 31 January 1961, a young chimpanzee named Ham made history as the first hominid to be launched into space. His suborbital flight aboard the Mercury-Redstone 2 mission was part of Project Mercury, a US program that laid the groundwork for human space exploration. 🧵⬇️ (1/5)

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nathanschneider.bsky.social•92 days ago

Hmm.

I'm surprised he made it back alive.

Thank you for your service, Ham.

wikipedia.org•92 days ago

Born in French Cameroon in 1957 and captured by animal trappers, Ham was sold to the US Air Force for $457 and brought to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico. Initially referred to as "No. 65" to avoid public backlash if the mission failed, he was renamed “Ham” upon his successful return. (2/5)

wikipedia.org•92 days ago

Under the guidance of neuroscientist Joseph V. Brady, Ham underwent 15 months of intensive training to perform simple tasks, such as pulling levers in response to flashing lights.

His suborbital journey lasted just 16 minutes and 39 seconds, but it was filled with challenges. (3/5)

wikipedia.org•92 days ago

A valve malfunction caused Ham's rocket to overshoot its planned trajectory, subjecting him to intense gravitational forces. Despite the difficulties, Ham completed his tasks with accuracy, proving that cognitive performance could remain stable in microgravity. (4/5)

wikipedia.org•92 days ago

Following his groundbreaking mission, Ham retired from NASA in 1963 and spent the next 20 years at the National Zoo in Washington, DC, before moving to the North Carolina Zoo.

Read more about Ham’s journey ➡️ https://w.wiki/8p6W (5/5)

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