Collective noun for cows launched into space, to orbit in
cow-size hamster balls.
After J.C.Hormel was unable to explain where the 'S' and 'P' of the initials "SPAM" originated (related to his tinned luncheon meet launched in 1937) Hormel declared that the SPAM meant "Speef
Ham" in other words a combination of
Ham and Space
Beef.
As Hormels primary customer, given the
war effort, the US Military decided that it would be prudent to actually create the subject of Hormel's
lie, thereby erasing any possible chances for embarrassment.
Later that year in 1937, several cows were launched into space. Novelty size hamster balls were used to encapsulate the beasts from the outside vacuum, as the R&D costs for customised helmets and suits over-ran and was cancelled by
congress.
Many cows still orbit to this
day, although a large number were initially sent soaring into deep space by passing geostationary satellites, which were prone to clicking the hamsterballs at their orbit speed of mach
25.