Ham’s flight hit its apex at 253km — about 150km above the rough threshold between Earth and space. He was weightless for 6.6 minutes, according to NASA, during a flight that lasted two ...

The Astrochimp's Early Life This true story is the tale of a chimpanzee now known to the world as Ham the Astrochimp, the first great ape to be launched into space.

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 ago.

In 1983, Ham died from liver failure at a North Carolina zoo at around 26 years old. The Astrochimp’s remains now lie in a commemorative grave at the International Space Hall of Fame in ...