1948 - June 11 – The first monkey astronaut, Albert I, is launched into space from White Sands, New Mexico.

On June 11, 1948, a significant milestone in space exploration was achieved with the launch of Albert I, the first monkey astronaut, into space from White Sands, New Mexico. This event marked the beginning of the use of animals in space research, paving the way for human spaceflight. Albert I was a rhesus monkey, chosen for his biological similarities to humans, making him an ideal candidate for studying the effects of space travel on living organisms.

The launch of Albert I was a part of a series of experiments conducted by the United States to understand the challenges of space travel and the potential impacts on living organisms. While Albert I did not survive the mission, his sacrifice provided invaluable data that would later contribute to the success of human space missions.