Scientists theorized in the early years of the space race between the USA and Soviet Union that the human body could not survive for long periods in the harsh environment of outer space. Both countries began launching flights with live animals, mostly dogs, monkeys, and chimps. This was to observe and calculate the effects of weightlessness and radiation in space. The USA concentrated on short-term flights with monkeys, while the Soviet Union tested the long-term effects of space radiation on flights lasting between 5-14 days.

Albert I was the first monkey astronaut to be launched into space. He reached an altitude of 39miles on June 11, 1948. Unfortunately, he died during the flight. Albert II, his successor, managed to reach 83 miles in the air, but died on impact. In the 1950s we performed several more missions, using modified German WW2 rockets and Aerobee rockets. The passengers of all missions carried out by monkeys Albert III to VI died due to some malfunction. Albert VI was the only monkey to survive landing. However, he also died of overheating as he waited in his capsule for the group to arrive.

The introduction of the new Jupiter rocket class in 1958 brought a new wave of animal tests. The 1959 mission, which successfully brought back monkeys Able Baker and Miss Baker after their space flight, was one of the most successful missions from that time. The media and USA scientists heavily marketed this mission in the years that followed. Miss Baker measured for 24 years after the post-mission surgery when monkey Able passed away. She died of renal failure in 1985.

NASA scientists began testing their launch and landing equipment as the human space mission neared. Two monkeys, Sam and Miss Sam, flew missions to test the launch escape system and landing parachute systems. Shepard’s final preparation flight took place on January 31st, 1961 when the first chimpanzee named HAM flew into space aboard Mercury Redstone. Ham’s 16-minute journey saw him reach an altitude of 157 mile and experience weightlessness for over six minutes. On May 5, 1961, a second chimp entered space after the successful mission by Alan B. Shepard Jr. Enos orbited twice the Earth on November 29, 1961. He then successfully landed in the Ocean.

Two smaller space programs used monkeys in the 1960s. Two French monkeys were able to reach an altitude of 150 miles and return safely to Earth. Argentina’s luck was less fortunate. One of their monkeys made it to the top of the 60km mountain, but another died because his undercarriage failed.

In the Soviet Union, 12 monkeys were used in their “Bion” project more than 20 years after it began. They were more focused on long-term space exposure. Twelve squirrel monkeys were launched into space between 1983 and 1996 – Biosatellite 3, with Abrek and Bion; Bion 7, with Verny and Gordy; Bion 8, with Yerosha andDryoma; Bion 9, with Zhakonya and Zabiyaka; Bion 10, with Krosh and Ivasha and finally Bion 11, with Lipik and Multik. Only Multik perished during the planned post-landing procedure.