Ham, a chimpanzee born in 1956, became the first hominid to be launched into space when he was sent aboard the Mercury-Redstone 2 spacecraft. This mission, conducted by NASA on January 31, 1961, was an important part of Project Mercury, aiming to test the effects of space travel on living organisms. After undergoing extensive training that included learning to perform tasks in response to signals, Ham was chosen for this pivotal mission, which lasted approximately 16 minutes. The spacecraft was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and reached a suborbital altitude of about 156 kilometers (97 miles). During the flight, Ham proved his training by responding correctly to various signals, helping to evaluate the feasibility of human spaceflight.

The successful mission of Mercury-Redstone 2 laid critical groundwork for future manned space missions, including the later Mercury flights that took humans into orbit. Ham's flight was not without risk; the capabilities of the life support systems were tested, and the data collected was instrumental for NASA. Upon his safe return, Ham was celebrated, but also sparked debates about the ethics of using animals in scientific research. Following his journey, Ham lived out the rest of his days at the National Zoo and later at a sanctuary, bringing attention to issues of animal welfare.

This mission marked a moment of scientific achievement for the United States as it raced against the Soviet Union in the space race. In the context of the Cold War, the success of Project Mercury had implications not just for scientific exploration but also for national pride. Ham’s successful suborbital flight provided confidence in the human spaceflight program that would ultimately lead to sending astronauts into orbit and eventually to the Moon. Ham's contributions as a pioneer are remembered as a significant part of space exploration history.