Monkeys In Space
The history of animal testing in space is a long one, but one of the most important parts of it is held by monkeys.
During the 1940s, scientists began sending various types of animals into space with a goal of determining conditions in the harsh environment of space. After the end of initial fears that no life can survive in the weightlessness and space radiation, American scientist embraced a long running program that sent over 15 monkeys into orbit. Those early experiments paved the way for the future manned mission to space, and vast expansion of scientific knowledge that awaited us beyond the Earth.
American focus with monkeys can easily be explained with their relative ease of training, and their physical and biological similarities to the humans. In addition to investigating influences of space on monkey's bodies and their abilities to preform simple trained actions, many of the flights also tested various new materials, equipment, and other procedures that would eventually be used in the upcoming manned space missions.
First wave of missions that launched several monkeys above the upper layers of the Earth used V2 and later on Aerobee rockets (famously, V2 represented redesigned models of German WW2 rockets). Six monkeys that went toward the space in between 1949 and 1952 did not managed to survive their missions, but scientist still managed to record vast amounts of important observations and data. Most important flights from that time were undoubtedly those of monkey Albert II who managed reach the altitude of 83 miles and officially enter space, and Albert VI, who managed to survive his landing. Sadly, even he died few hours later from overheating, while waiting his rescue party to save him from scorching sun of New Mexico.
Arrival of Jupiter class rockets ushered new age of space exploration. Scientist were then able to send bigger cargo into orbit, and one of the most famous examples of successful monkey space mission was the one of Able and Miss Baker. During their May 28 1959 flight, they reached the altitude of over 300 miles, experienced over 9 minutes of weightlessness and then safely landed in the Pacific Ocean. Success of this mission proved to the scientist that their space program is almost mature enough to send human crew to space.
Introduction of Mercury space program brought the final phase of monkey testing. Before American astronaut maiden flight, NASA scientists decided test several important procedures and equipment using monkeys. Small rhesus monkeys Sam and Miss Sam successfully tested astronaut evacuation procedure called LES, and in January 1961, fist chimpanzee called Ham was sent into space. Purpose of Ham's flight was to prove to scientist that astronauts could operate their complicated equipment during times of weightlessness. Ham preformed perfectly, and in May of the same year, American Astronaut Alan Shepard successfully went to space (only few weeks after historic flight of Soviet Union cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin). Few more monkeys went to space after that - chimpanzee Enos orbited the Earth two times in late 1961, and two small monkeys were sent to space onboard the 1985 flight of the Space Shuttle Challenger.
Soviet Union early space program was more focused on sending dogs into space. Almost 20 years after the end of American monkey testing, first monkeys went up to space in their "Bion" space program. Between 1983 to 1996, exactly 12 monkeys was sent to space on a missions that lasted between five and 5 and 14 days.
Last flight of Russian monkeys in 1996 represented end of their usage in space programs. In the same year, NASA disbanded their own monkey testing facilities and focused their effort in the manned exploration of space.
About The Author:Visit Monkeys in Space site for more information about monkeys and other animals in space, including information about the first animal space mission and famous animal astronauts.
Recent Articles On This Topic
Free Dirt From Space - It's True And The Price Is Right Too!
Is the Earth getting bigger?
What Progress Is Being Made In The Study Of NEOs Or Near Earth Objects?
We sure know a lot more than we did about Near Earth Objects than we ever have in the past. In many regards we find that they are much more dangerous than we had ever believed to life on Earth and our Earth's biosphere.
Do You Know Who Are The Main Companies And Developers In The Private Space Flight Business?
With the opportunities that are opening up around the world to soon take a flight on a vehicle that can fly you alone or with others to the edge of space, we will take a look at whom some of the prime developers and entrepreneurs are. Below we showcase a number of these companies and what they are accomplishing.
Can I Go To Space For Under $100,000?
The general thought is that space travel for civilians is extremely expensive and unattainable for most. This misconception is due to the confusion about the different kind of trips that are available.
Monkeys In Space
The history of animal testing in space is a long one, but one of the most important parts of it is held by monkeys.
How To Observe A Meteor Shower
Meteor showers are a wonderful sight, that don't require any specific knowledge or equipment to enjoy, just an appreciation for the beauty of the night sky. Fortunately meteor showers are far more common and easy to view than most people realize.
Get Your Own Personal Orbiting Satellite
Here's your chance to put your own do-it-yourself satellite in to orbit around the Earth, for only $8,000.
Is A Giant Asteroid Headed Our Way?
Scientists have discovered a large asteroid with a 1-in-1,000 chance of hitting the earth in the next century.
Nasa Plans Unrealistic
It's becoming clear that NASA planners have bit off more ambitious goals than they have money to pay for. A new report suggests scaling expectations back.
Space Exploration's Greatest Hits
An interesting article on NewsVine lists the top ten events in the history of space exploration.
Video: Tour The International Space Station
Here are 4 videos which give you a tour of the International Space Station.
Video: Space Storms Hits Earth
This video from NewScientist.com explains how researchers have observed a space storm slamming in to the earth's magnetic field for the first time.
Video: Space Tourists
Here's a quick video exploring the future of space tourism.
Video: Earth Seen From Space
Here's a collection of beautiful shots of the earth as seen from space.
Video: Ride The Space Elevator
This educational video explains the concept of a "Space Elevator", a futuristic idea which could provide a dramatically different, and cheaper, way to transport people in to earth orbit.
Video: Ride A Solid Rocket Booster
This video contains footage taken from cameras attached to the solid rocket boosters of Space Shuttle Atlantis. You get the bird's eye view as you ride the boosters in to space, and then witness the dramatic fall of the booster back in to the ocean.
Russian Volcano Seen From Space
Astronauts in the International Space Station took this impressive photo of a volcano in Russia's Kuril Islands.
Comets Bring The Building Blocks Of Life To Earth
A director of the Israel Space Agency says that comets are the source of the basic building blocks of life on earth.
Buy Your Ticket To Space Now
If you're tired of voyeur space travel on the net, and ready to go for real, here's some good news.
Navigation
