Chapter 1: The Journey Begins

Before the legendary missions of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, there was Ham, the pioneering astro-chimp.

Humanity has consistently sent an array of unusual items into space. From dinosaur bones to instant noodles and even human remains, our space exploration history is filled with oddities. Alongside these peculiar items, substantial resources have also been allocated for sending various animals as test pilots — including rats, dogs, and insects.

Among the early animal astronauts was Ham, often referred to as "Ham the Astro-Chimp." While some may wonder about the rationale behind sending a chimpanzee into space, it can be argued that NASA's achievements today may not have been possible without Ham.

Ham's Origins

Ham was captured in the late 1950s in the French Cameroon region by animal trappers. Initially brought to a rare bird farm in Miami, he was later acquired by the United States Air Force in 1959. Subsequently, he was transported to Holloman Air Force Base for training.

Initially, forty chimpanzees were considered for NASA's space mission. Through rigorous testing and evaluations, this number was narrowed down to eighteen, and then to six. Ultimately, Ham was chosen for his excellent health and responsiveness.

Under the guidance of neuroscientist Joseph V. Brady, Ham began his training. He was instructed to complete simple tasks within a strict time frame, using cues from flashing lights or sounds. His primary task involved pressing a lever within five seconds after a blue light signaled him. Successful completion resulted in a banana pellet reward, while failure led to a mild electric shock.

Ham's Historic Mission

Ham's mission was crucial in paving the way for Alan Shepard's journey into space aboard Freedom 7. Ham was tasked with demonstrating the ability to carry out tasks in the challenging environment of space, which had not been previously validated by NASA.

On January 31, 1961, Ham was prepared for his flight. He and his rocket were launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, for a suborbital mission. Scientists monitored Ham's vital signs through his suit as they were transmitted back to Earth.

The mission faced challenges early on. Following the launch, Ham’s capsule suffered partial pressure loss, which could have been catastrophic. Fortunately, his space suit protected him from immediate danger.

Once in space, Ham responded to the blue light cue and executed the tasks he had been trained for. He performed well, with only a slight delay compared to his training on Earth. This data confirmed that humans could also function effectively in space.

After a flight lasting just over sixteen minutes, Ham’s capsule landed in the Atlantic Ocean. He was retrieved a few hours later, with only a minor bruise and some fatigue. The mission was deemed a success.

Life After Space

Throughout the astro-chimp project, Ham was referred to as "Subject 65." He received the name "Ham" only after the mission's successful completion, as authorities were concerned about the negative publicity that could arise from the death of a named animal. The name was derived from the Holloman Aerospace Medical Center, along with a nod to Lieutenant Colonel Hamilton “Ham” Blackshear, the lab's chief.

On April 5, 1963, Ham was transferred to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. Eventually, he moved to the North Carolina Zoo, where he lived among other chimpanzees. He passed away from natural causes on January 19, 1983.

Ham's caretakers donated his body to the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Initially, there were plans to preserve him for display in the Smithsonian, but public sentiment led to this idea being abandoned. Instead, Ham was laid to rest at the International Space Hall of Fame in New Mexico, complete with a respectful eulogy. His skeleton is now part of the collection at the National Museum of Health and Medicine.

It is essential to honor the animal companions who have contributed to our achievements in space exploration. Without Ham's pivotal role, NASA's space program may have lagged significantly behind.

Chapter 2: NASA's First Chimp in Space

This video details the groundbreaking journey of NASA's first chimpanzee in space, exploring the significance of Ham's mission.

In this video, learn more about Ham, the first chimpanzee sent into space, and the impact of his historic flight on future space exploration.