Print

Learn About The Kansas Monkey That Helped Pave The Way To Space

July 16, 2019  |  Josh Boston, Claire Evans  |  1 min read

Fifty years ago today, Apollo 11 blasted off from Cape Kennedy in Florida en route to the historic moon landing. It would not be much of a stretch to say the three astronauts on board owed their good fortune, in part, to a furry mammal that hailed from a town only about 160 miles southwest of Kansas City. See for yourself in the slide show below.

In conjunction with PBS’ “Summer of Space,” Kansas City PBS is highlighting local stories about that historic time as well as other area celestial highlights.

Tags:

Reading these stories is free, but telling them is not. Start your monthly gift now to support Flatland’s community-focused reporting.

Nick’s Picks | Ballots, Bribery, Baby and More …

July 20, 2026

The World Cup has left town, some some of the biggest headlines are a man stuck in the toilet of a Porta Potty, upcoming elections, and an alleged scandal in Jackson County.

Related Stories

Heat index values this week are expected to climb between 105 and 110 degrees each afternoon. (Pexels) expected to remain in the 90s all week. (Pexels)

Nick’s Picks | Fireworks, Heat, Dylan and More …

As America gets set to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the fireworks are not the only things that will be hot. Expect heat and humidity this week.

Read More >
A grant and local contributions funded the restoration of Washington Chapel (C.M.E.) Church in Parkville. The chapel opened in 1907. (Bill Tammeus | Flatland)

Restoration of Black church in Parkville inspires rainbow coalition

The community has rallied around the restoration of Parkville, Missouri's, Washington Chapel. Built in 1907, the chapel has been a haven for a Black population that has not always been welcome in town.

Read More >
CPKC Stadium opened in 2024. An expansion would raise the seating capacity from 11,500 to 18,000. (KCUR 89.3 | Courtesy Kansas City Current)

Nick’s Picks | Soccer, Elections, Entertainment and More …

It's a soccer extravaganza in Kansas City, with the city reaching its halfway point as a host city and the City Council set to consider a bond package to expand the Kansas City Current stadium.

Read More >