astrochimp

plural astrochimps

1. informalA chimpanzee used in a spaceflight program.

   The real hero of the early American space programme was Ham the "astrochimp", who went up before any of the first American Mercury astronauts (India plans £1.7bn manned space mission by 2015, 24 February; Letters, passim).

   2009 February 25, “Letters: Ham the 'astrochimp', the real hero of the space race”, in The Guardian

   1 more example

   Ham the astrochimp is the first earthly creature to do intelligent tasks in space. He and the other astrochimps prepared for this accomplishment at machines like the one at right where they learned to push levers correctly in response to flashing lights.

   1961 February 10, “Great Triple Play”, in Life, volume 50, number 6, page 22

   Synonyms: chimponaut