Date of launch (location):
June 28, 1969 (ETR)
Launch vehicle:
Thor-Delta (DSV-3N)
Weight (kg):
696.7
Shape:
Cylindrical cone adapter and
instrument section, with a blunt-cone reentry vehicle with
heat-shield.
Dimensions (m):
2.44 total length
2.06 length, adapter section
1.45 maximum diameter, adapter
section
1.22 length, reentry vehicle
1.02 diameter, reentry vehicle
base
Power source:
AgZc batteries
Date of reentry:
July 7, 1969
Responsible NASA center:
Ames Research Center
Prime contractor:
General Electric Co.
Project manager:
Charles A. Wilson
Objectives:
To determine the effects of long-term
weightlessness on a monkey during a 30-day orbital
mission.
Areas of investigation:
Central nervous system
Circulatory system
Body chemistry
Results:
Unsuccessful; on the ninth day of
flight, Bonny, the pigtail monkey, became ill, and flight
controllers ordered the reentry vehicle back to earth. Bonny
died shortly thereafter on July 8 at Hickman AFB,
Honolulu.
Reference: J. W. Ayer, ed., "Biosatellite Project Historical Summary Report," ARC, Dec. 1969.