Monkey on Loose Perils Soviet Space Lab
A monkey has broken loose from his restraints aboard a Soviet biological satellite orbiting the Earth and may force scientists to abort the mission because of his playful but potentially dangerous antics, Radio Moscow said Tuesday.
Cosmos 1887, launched Sept. 29, contains two Rhesus monkeys, 10 rats and dozens of fish, reptiles and plants to test the effects of weightlessness on various functions of plants and animals.
“A complicated situation has emerged aboard the Soviet biosatellite launched at the end of last month,” Radio Moscow said. “One of the test monkeys has managed to free its left arm from its cuff. The overjoyed monkey started touching all the sensors in its capsule, including a cap with implanted electrodes it is wearing on its head. The monkey is interfering with the course of the experiment and can harm itself.”
“Soviet scientists are closely following the flight and are ready to bring the satellite back to Earth if need be,” Radio Moscow said.
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