This paper discusses the contributions of Ham, a chimpanzee launched into space by NASA in 1961. Ham was the first chimp and first animal launched into space by the United States. His successful mission proved that animals could survive spaceflight and helped pave the way for human spaceflight. While some were concerned about animal cruelty, Ham's training prepared him well and he helped advance NASA's space program during the Cold War space race against the Soviet Union. Overall, the paper argues that Ham playing a key role in early space exploration justified NASA's use of animals in space missions.