MERCURY 2
"The chimpanzee selected as the spare or backup animal for possible flight aboard a production version of the Project Mercury spacecraft."
January, 1961
Vintage gelatin silver print
8 x 10 inches

The Chimpanzee selected as the spare or backup animal for possible flight aboard a production version of the Project Mercury Spacecraft on the Redstone Booster Ballistic trajectory is a female, approximately 36 inches tall, weighs 47 3/4 pounds, is approximately 4 years old and was born in French Cameroon, Africa. The animal was selected from among a group of six specially trained chimpanzees during the night before launch. Shel will be substituted for the primary flight animal in the event the primary animal cannot perform the mission 61-MR2-13A.