Albert II (monkey)

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Albert II V2 launch

Albert II was a rhesus macaque who became the first monkey in space on June 14, 1949, aboard a U.S. V-2 rocket, launched from White Sands Missile Range, New Mexico. This event marked a significant milestone in the history of space exploration and the study of the potential effects of space travel on biological organisms. Albert II's mission was a part of the early American space program, which aimed to test the survivability of space flight for humans.

Background

Before Albert II, there was Albert I, another rhesus macaque, who on June 11, 1948, became the first monkey launched into space by the United States. However, Albert I's flight did not reach the Kármán line—the internationally recognized boundary of space, located 100 kilometers above the Earth's surface—and thus, Albert I is not officially recognized as the first monkey in space. Albert I's mission ended in failure as the V-2 rocket self-destructed before reaching peak altitude.

Albert II's Mission

Albert II's mission was part of a series of biological experiments to understand the impact of space travel on living organisms. On his flight, Albert II reached an altitude of 134 km (83 miles), crossing the Kármán line, and officially entered space. The mission provided valuable data on the effects of microgravity and cosmic radiation on biological specimens.

Unfortunately, Albert II did not survive the flight; he died on impact when the parachute system of the rocket failed to deploy properly. Despite the tragic outcome, the mission contributed significantly to our understanding of space biology and the feasibility of human spaceflight.

Legacy

Albert II's mission paved the way for future biological and human spaceflight experiments. Following his flight, several other animals, including mice, dogs, and monkeys, were sent into space to further study the biological impacts of space travel. These experiments were crucial in developing the life support and safety systems used in human spaceflight missions.

The legacy of Albert II and other animal astronauts is a testament to the contributions of non-human participants in the advancement of space exploration. Their missions provided essential data that helped ensure the safety and success of subsequent human spaceflights, including those of Project Mercury, Project Gemini, and the Apollo program.

See Also

• Animals in space
• Monkeys and apes in space
• History of space exploration
• Project Mercury
• Project Gemini
• Apollo program