That Time When the US Air Force Ejected Yogi the Bear at Supersonic Speed

The poor bear! 

In order to test the escape capsule of a military aircraft, Yogi, a two-year-old black bear was ejected from a US Air Force B-58. Yogi was alive when they used him as a test subject. He was ejected at 35,000 feet from the bomber plane, which was flying at supersonic speed (870 mph). 

Thankfully, the bear survived the test and landed unharmed. Unfortunately, Yogi was later euthanized so his internal organs could be examined for signs of damage. The bear’s participation in the test in 1962 is celebrated as the first ejection of a living creature from a supersonic aircraft. 

Image credit: U.S. Air Force

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