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NASA Marks 60 Years Since the First Chimp in Orbit

Enos is prepared for launch. Credit: NASA
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

Sixty years ago this week, humanity sent its bravest into Earth’s orbit—a chimpanzee named Enos.

In the midst of the Cold War, the U.S. had set its sights on the moon, but strapping yourself to a rocket wasn’t exactly as common as it is today. So, in the early 1960s, NASA sent dozens of animals into space to make sure humans could survive prolonged periods of weightlessness.

Jeremy Kariuki

Jeremy attained his bachelor's in journalism and emerging media from Kennesaw State University. He also served in the Georgia Air National Guard as a C-130 Crew Chief for six years, holding an associate in aircraft maintenance technology.

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