Albert II was launched from the White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico, marking a pivotal moment in the history of human space exploration. As part of the U.S. Army’s rocket research program, the mission aimed to gather data concerning the potential effects of space travel on biological organisms. Albert II was a rhesus monkey who had previously been trained for various experiments, and he was secured in a specially designed container to endure the harsh conditions of high-altitude flight.

The V-2 rocket, developed originally by German engineer Wernher von Braun during World War II, was repurposed by American scientists for their space endeavors. Despite its military origins, the rocket served as a platform for scientific discovery in the nascent stages of space exploration. During his brief flight, Albert II reached an unprecedented altitude of 134 km (83 mi), surpassing what was achievable with earlier missions.

The mission was part of a broader agenda to understand the physiological impacts of space flight, laying groundwork for future manned missions. Unfortunately, the parachute system failed upon re-entry, leading to Albert II’s death upon impact. Nonetheless, this flight contributed valuable data that would inform subsequent missions and research into animal testing in aerospace environments.