10. Chimps in space

During the Cold War, the United States were using chimps to explore the outer space. Desperately wanting to win the war, the U.S sent Ham in the space, making him the first primate launched in space.

He was a vital part of the U.S’ space program called Project Mercury. He was raised in captivity, prepared his whole life for this mission. The historic event took place on January 1961 in Cape Canaveral, Florida.

With Ham’s mission, it was finally proved you can perform tasks in outer space. His flight was a little over 16 minutes long and he suffered one small injury on his nose.

He died 2 years later and he was buried at the International Space Hall of Fame.