Gordo the Space Monkey

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Gordo the Space Monkey was the first monkey to travel in Outer Space. He flew in the US Jupiter AM-13 rocket from Cape Canaveral on December 13th 1958. However, the mission ended tragically when a technical problem meant the landing parachute failed to open causing the 50 ton rocket to crash and sink in the South Atlantic. Despite asearch Gordo was not found.

[edit] Gordo

Gordo was a South American breed of Squirrel Monkey about one foot tall and weighing between two and three pounds (1-1.5kg). He was chosen for space travel because of his similar anatomical makeup to man and sensitivity to changes in temperature.

[edit] The Flight

Gordo the Space Monkey travelled 300 miles into space, beating man by two and a half years, followed by a 1500 mile flight in the rocket. His condition was monitored throughout and he was said by the pentagon to have experienced no adverse effects during weightlessness. The flight lasted 15 minutes. Gordo wore a specially customised space suit and was fitted with instruments to monitor his health.