animals in space

First animal in space

Feb 20, 1947

citeThe first animals to be sent into space were fruit flies. They were sent into space as an experiment to find out the effects of radiation exposure at different altitudes. The flies were recovered alive.

First Monkey in space

Jun 14, 1949

citeA Rhesus monkey named Albert II, was sent into space, after Albert I's failed mission. Unfortunately Albert II died on impact due to parachute failure.

Mouse in space

Aug 31, 1950

internet citationU.S sent a mouse into space, but the parachute system failed and the mouse died.

Soviet union sends dogs into space

Jul 22, 1951

citeSoviet union sent two dogs into space. They were the first higher organisms to survive a spaceflight; Even though they were not sent into orbit.

Soviet dog in space

Nov 3, 1957

citeSoviet Union launched another dog named Laika into space, and she was the first dog sent into orbit. Laika died during the flight because the technology to return from orbit had not been created.

Able and Baker

May 28, 1959

citeFirst monkeys to survive a space flight.