(TNS) — A pioneering chimpanzee went into space for NASA — then retired to North Carolina 44 years ago. But after becoming famous, he lived alone for almost two decades, historians said.

On January 31, 1961, a chimpanzee named Ham became the first great ape to travel to space. His mission was crucial in proving that living beings could survive and function in microgravity. While ...

NASA's First Chimp in Space. As part of Project Mercury, NASA prepared to send a chimpanzee, Ham, into space to test the effects of space on a living creature.

Ham the chimp launched into space before he spent some of his retirement years in North Carolina. NASA A pioneering chimpanzee went into space for NASA — then retired to North Carolina 44 years ...

Ham the chimp launched into space before he spent some of his retirement years in North Carolina. NASA A pioneering chimpanzee went into space for NASA — then retired to North Carolina 44 years ...

Ham the chimp launched into space before he spent some of his retirement years in North Carolina. NASA A pioneering chimpanzee went into space for NASA — then retired to North Carolina 44 years ...

Ham the chimp launched into space before he spent some of his retirement years in North Carolina. NASA A pioneering chimpanzee went into space for NASA — then retired to North Carolina 44 years ...

Ham the chimp launched into space before he spent some of his retirement years in North Carolina. NASA A pioneering chimpanzee went into space for NASA — then retired to North Carolina 44 years ...