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Today in History: Ham the Chimp: First Hominid in Space

1/31/2025

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Summary

Story summary

On January 31, 1961, NASA launched Mercury-Redstone 2, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The mission carried Ham the Chimp, the first hominid in space, on a suborbital flight from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Ham safely returned to Earth, landing in the Atlantic Ocean 16 minutes and 39 seconds after liftoff.

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Story summary

On January 31, 1961, NASA launched Mercury-Redstone 2, marking a significant milestone in space exploration. The mission carried Ham the Chimp, the first hominid in space, on a suborbital flight from Cape Canaveral, Florida. Ham safely returned to Earth, landing in the Atlantic Ocean 16 minutes and 39 seconds after liftoff.