monkeys gone to heaven.

like most people on a sunny afternoon, I often think about historical figures:

on June 11, 1948, Albert, a rhesus monkey, became the first ever monkey astronaut whilst riding a V2 rocket. unfortunately, he died of suffocation during the flight.

he was followed by Albert II, who became the first monkey into space, by passing the kármán line! though he survived the flight, he died on impact.

next came Albert III, who died at 35,000 feet when his V2 exploded.

Albert IV, on the final monkey V2 flight (... yes ... wait for it ... ) also died, upon impact.

after the V2s, aerobee rockets were used: as were the Alberts.

Albert V died in a parachute malfunction.

Albert VI, along with 11 mice crewmates, became the first animals to survive rocket flight: yay! but, yes: 2 hours after landing, Albert VI died.

and what about monkeys not named Albert that met similar low fates?

1. Goliath: died in an explosion of his atlas rocket
2. Scatback: lost at sea after landing
3. Bonny: took on the first multi-day flight (june 29 - july 8, 1969), but died within a day of landing

moral of the story: it might be safer to be a bonafide cult hero.