Meet Ham, Minnie, Enos, Roscoe, Tiger, and Rocky.
When the United States was scrambling to catch up to the Soviets after
their successful launch of Sputnik, they didn't turn to Mercury Seven
astronauts Alan Shepard and John Glenn. Rather, they began bringing
chimpanzees to Holloman Air Force Base in New Mexico for a top-secret
program. The goal? To do everything America needed to make space travel
safe for humans and beat the Soviets.
Based on extensive research and interviews with living members of the
team of veterinarians, handlers, and psychologists who worked with the
animals, The Astrochimps offers a fresh perspective on animal
intelligence and the rise of the space age. Detailed back matter
provides resources, space mission stats, and calls to action for young
readers to honor the astrochimps' legacy and advocate for the humane
treatment of chimpanzees today.
Vividly depicted at work, at play, in and out of spacecrafts, these
chimps played an under-appreciated part in helping the United States win
the Space Race.