APOLLO MISSION CONTROL PHOTO PLUS

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Unmanned Missions 1961 to 1967

The below is a repeat of text taken from the Unmanned Mission Gallery

1969 June 29 - Biosatellite-3 was launched successfully by a Delta N #539: The Biological Capsule re-entered 7 July 1969. The intent had been to fly a 6 kg male pig-tailed monkey (Macaca nemestrina) named Bonnie in Earth-orbit for 30 days. However, after only 8.8 days in orbit, the mission was terminated because of the subject's deteriorating health. High development costs were a strong incentive for maximising the scientific return from the mission. Because of this, the scientific goals had become exceedingly ambitious over time, and a great many measurements were conducted on the single research subject flown. Although the mission was highly successful from a technical standpoint, the science results were apparently compromised. The spacecraft de-orbited after almost 9 days because Bonnie's metabolic condition deteriorated rapidly. Unfortunately Bonnie expired 8 hours after the spacecraft was recovered, presumably from a massive heart attack brought on by extreme dehydration.

Please note; Bonnie our space hero of Biosatellite-3: I do not and never would look to capitalize on an animals suffering and or misfortune. I do feel that the photographs of Bonnie and his fellow primates could cause anxiety in some in seeing the treatment of our space heroes. However, lets look at the photographs as a testament to Bonnie and the other animals that went through stressful experiments to help further our knowledge in making further manned space flights safer. Click on the below image to view the 9 vintage photographs:

£8.95

Biosatellite-3 Pigtail Monkey Training

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-746

2 June 1969

A 14-pound, adolescent Pigtail monkey, Macaua Uemestrina, similar to Bonnie that will spend from 15 to 30 days in orbit in the Bioastellite-3 primate mission, is seen drinking water from a steel nipple. The nipple is like the one in the Biosatellite-3 spacecraft.

Full details of this activity and equipment seen is given on the back of the photograph.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG++

SOLD

Biosatellite-3 Pigtail Monkey Training #2

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-745

2 June 1969

A 14-pound, adolescent Pigtail monkey, Macaua Uemestrina, similar to Bonnie that will spend from 15 to 30 days in orbit in the Bioastellite-3 primate mission, is seen working to earn his food. In this task shown here, he matches the symbol on the centre button with symbols on outside buttons.

Full details of this activity and equipment seen is given on the back of the photograph.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG+

£8.95

Biosatellite-3 Pigtail Monkey Training #3

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-744

2 June 1969

A 14-pound, adolescent Pigtail monkey, Macaua Uemestrina, similar to Bonnie that will spend from 15 to 30 days in orbit in the Bioastellite-3 primate mission, is seen sitting in his flight couch while holding the technicians hand for comfort.

Full details of this activity and equipment seen is given on the back of the photograph.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG++

£8.95

Biosatellite-3 Pigtail Monkey Training #4

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-742

2 June 1969

A 14-pound, adolescent Pigtail monkey, Macaua Uemestrina, similar to Bonnie that will spend from 15 to 30 days in orbit in the Bioastellite-3 primate mission, is seen just before the closing of his flight capsule.

This photo was taken prior to a successful test which mated the backup spacecraft with the complete primate experiment.

Full details of this activity and equipment seen is given on the back of the photograph.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG++

£8.95

Biosatellite-3 Pigtail Monkey Training #5

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-747

2 June 1969

A 14-pound, adolescent Pigtail monkey, Macaua Uemestrina, similar to Bonnie that will spend from 15 to 30 days in orbit in the Bioastellite-3 primate mission, is seen surrounded by a maze of equipment in a flight-like capsule.

This photo was taken during a successful 30-day test of Biosatellite capsule systems with a live monkey and all experiments systems. Test was at the University of California, Los Angeles, Ca.

Full details of this activity and equipment seen is given on the back of the photograph.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG++

£8.95

Bonnie Inserted Into His Spacecraft

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-997

28 June 1969

Bonnie is seen shortly after he was inserted into the Biosatellite D spacecraft atop the two stage Delta rocket at the Cape's Launch Complex 17 for the start of his Earth orbital mission.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG++

£8.95

Bonnie Inserted Into His Spacecraft #2

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-993

28 June 1969

Bonnie is seen shortly after he was inserted into the Biosatellite D spacecraft atop the two stage Delta rocket at the Cape's Launch Complex 17 for the start of his Earth orbital mission.

Details of the activity seen is given on the back of the photograph.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG++

£8.95

Bonnie Inserted Into His Spacecraft #3

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-995

28 June 1969

Bonnie is seen shortly after he was inserted into the Biosatellite D spacecraft atop the two stage Delta rocket at the Cape's Launch Complex 17 for the start of his Earth orbital mission.

Technicians are shown bolting down his couch.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG++

£8.95

Bonnie Inserted Into His Spacecraft #4

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-994

28 June 1969

Bonnie is seen shortly after he was inserted into the Biosatellite D spacecraft atop the two stage Delta rocket at the Cape's Launch Complex 17 for the start of his Earth orbital mission.

Technicians are shown connecting the urine handling system.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG++

£8.95

Bonnie Inserted Into His Spacecraft #5

10 x 8 B/W Glossy NASA Photograph

NASA No. 69-H-996

28 June 1969

The nose cap is lowered into place on the Biosatellite D spacecraft being prepared for launch at the Cape's Launch Complex 17.

This very fine vintage NASA glossy photo is in very good condition. VG++

It is much quicker to use your BACK button to return to the Unmanned Mission Gallery.

Let me know what you think !