During the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union in the 1950s and 60s, both countries were eager to demonstrate their technological prowess by sending living beings into space. While the USSR famously sent Laika the dog into orbit aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957, the United States also made their own contribution to space exploration with the missions of Laska and Benjy.

Laska and Benjy were two rhesus monkeys that were part of the United States' space program in the early 1960s. They were chosen for their ability to withstand the physical and psychological stresses of space travel, and were trained extensively before being launched into space aboard separate missions.

Laska was the first of the two monkeys to be sent into space in 1960, aboard a Mercury spacecraft. She successfully completed her mission and was safely recovered after orbiting the Earth multiple times. Benjy followed in her footsteps a year later, also completing a successful mission and paving the way for further advancements in space exploration.

While the missions of Laska and Benjy may not be as well-known as Laika's, they were significant milestones in the history of space exploration. They demonstrated the United States' commitment to pushing the boundaries of human knowledge and paved the way for future manned space missions.

Today, you can learn more about the missions of Laska and Benjy and their contributions to space exploration by visiting NASA's official website. There, you can explore archival footage, photographs, and detailed information about the United States' early space program and the brave animals that helped make it possible.

In conclusion, while Laika may be the most famous animal to have been sent into space, the missions of Laska and Benjy are equally deserving of recognition. These two brave monkeys played a crucial role in advancing our understanding of space travel and paved the way for the human exploration of the cosmos.

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