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Capt Leroy Cooper, right, with Admiral Hills and Joachi?
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Capt Leroy Cooper, right, with Admiral Hills and Joachi?
Capt Leroy Cooper, right, with Admiral Hills and Joachim Kuettner at Cape Canaveral after witnessing the launch of a Mercury capsule carrying a chimpanzee on top of a Redstone launcher, 31 january 1961. Date: 1961
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Media ID 18388546
© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans Picture Library
1961 Admiral Canaveral Cape Capsule Capt Chimpanzee Cooper Hills Joachim Launcher Leroy Mercury Redstone Witnessing January
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EDITORS COMMENTS
In this historic photograph, Captain Leroy Cooper (right) stands proudly with Admiral Harry C. Hills and Dr. Joachim Kuettner at Cape Canaveral, Florida, following the successful launch of a Mercury capsule carrying a chimpanzee named Ham on January 31, 1961. This momentous event marked the beginning of the United States' manned spaceflight program, which would eventually lead to the achievement of sending astronaut John Glenn into orbit in 1962. Captain Cooper, a naval aviator and test pilot, was one of the many dedicated individuals who contributed to the development and testing of the Mercury spacecraft. His presence at the launch site underscores the collaborative efforts of the military, scientific, and engineering communities in making this groundbreaking achievement a reality. Admiral Hills, as the Commander of the Atlantic Fleet, played a crucial role in the Navy's involvement in the space program. Dr. Kuettner, a German-born physiologist, was a leading expert in the field of space medicine and was responsible for the selection and care of the primate astronauts used in the Mercury program. The trio's expressions of excitement and accomplishment in this image serve as a testament to the collective spirit and determination that drove the United States to make significant strides in space exploration during the early 1960s. This photograph is a powerful reminder of the human endeavor to push the boundaries of knowledge and exploration, as well as the critical role that teamwork and collaboration play in achieving remarkable milestones.
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