Animal exploration in Space

First Animals (Fruit Flies) were sent into outer space

Feb 20, 1947

Significant Events in Animal Space Exploration

Period: Feb 20, 1947 to Feb 3, 2010

First Verterbae Animal In Space

Jun 14, 1949

Albert II became the first monkey in space. He died from due to a parachute failure.

First Mouse in Space

Aug 31, 1950

First Dogs in Space (Tsygan & Dezik)

Jul 22, 1951

First Animal (Dog) in Orbit (Laika)

Nov 3, 1957

First Monkeys (Able & Baker) Return From Space

May 28, 1959

Dogs Belka and Strelka Go into Space and Return

Aug 19, 1960

First Spacecraft to go into orbit and return passengers alive.

First Lever Operating Monkey

Jan 31, 1961

Ham the Chimp was sent into space with the knowledge that pulling levers would reward him with banana pellets

Apollo 16 sent with bacteria

Apr 16, 1972

Nematodees were sent into outer space in the Apollo 16

Apollo 17 (Several Animals)

Jul 28, 1973

The first fish in space (a mummichog), several pocket mice, and the first garden spiders (Arabella and Anita)

Japan Launched First Animals

Mar 18, 1995

A japanese species of newt was launched into space

Last Flight of Endeavour

May 16, 2011

Golden Orb Spiders sent into the last outer space mission with several fruit flies as food.