HAM THE ASTROCHIMP

On this day back in 1961 the United States launched a chimpanzee into space. Ham the Astrochimp, whose name is short for Holloman Air Force Base where he completed his training, spent 18 months preparing for his mission with the Project Mercury program. He learned to operate controls and respond to flashing lights in an effort to see if humans would be able to perform all the required tasks while in space. Although there were a few minor mishaps during his 16-minute, 5000 mph flight, Ham completed his mission and successfully performed all necessary tasks. His capsule returned to earth, splashing down into the Atlantic about 130 miles from where he launched in Cape Canaveral. Ham did his part for the Space Race and retired from NASA in 1963. Findings during Ham’s successful test flight, directly led to Alan Shepard being able to complete his suborbital flight on May 5, 1961. Ham would spend the next 17 years at the National Zoo in D.C. before being moved to North Carolina Zoo where he lived with a group of chimps until he passed away at the age of 26 on January 19th, 1983. Godspeed Ham the Astrochimp.