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The Chimp Who Paved the Way to Space | Durham News
In 1961, Ham the chimp blasted into space aboard a Mercury-Redstone rocket, becoming the first primate in orbit—and a silent hero of the space race. His 16-minute flight at 5,800 mph, reaching 157 miles up, proved animals could survive space’s brutal conditions, directly shaping NASA’s safety protocols for human astronauts. Though he’d screech at cameras and nip handlers, Ham was a genius in training, outperforming peers and proving primates could adapt to space. After retiring to zoos, he lived peacefully with friend Maggie until his death in 1983. Now, a state historic marker honors his…
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