Yes, a monkey did go to space.
Specifically, on June 11, 1948, Albert I, a rhesus monkey, was launched into space aboard a V-2 Blossom rocket from White Sands, New Mexico. This event marked a significant, albeit often overlooked, step in the history of space exploration and the use of animals in scientific research.
While Albert I's flight was a crucial precursor to human spaceflight, it's important to note that he did not survive the mission. This early mission, along with subsequent animal launches, provided invaluable data on the physiological effects of space travel, paving the way for humans to venture beyond Earth's atmosphere.
