NASA Launched Rhesus Monkey Miss Sam in 1960 for Mercury Escape System Test

Summary

In January 1960, NASA launched Miss Sam, a rhesus monkey, on a Mercury escape test at 1,800 mph to confirm the escape tower's ability to pull the capsule clear of its booster. Her mission data, which included reaching an altitude of nine miles, was crucial in assessing the safety of the Mercury spacecraft for human flights and influenced later primate missions.