Animals made it into space long before humans dared to head there, making history along the way. From insects to dogs and cats, many animals have been a part of space missions over the decades, but can you guess which animal made it there first and lived to tell the tale?
First Animal
The era of animals flying into space was pioneered by the U.S.-launched V-2 rocket in 1947 when fruit flies became the first living organisms to go to space. This mission paved the way for human exploration after the flies made it back alive, they were chosen for the mission after scientists discovered that humans and fruit flies share many genes.
First Mammal
A rhesus monkey Albert II became the first mammal, the first monkey, and the first primate to travel to outer space, aboard a U.S. V-2 rocket in 1949. He didn’t make it back alive after his capsule struck the ground at high speed due to parachute failure.
Space Dogs
The Soviet space program launched several dogs into space during the 50s, starting with Dezik and Tsygan in 1951. They were the first dogs to make a sub-orbital flight and return to Earth, while the legendary Laika made history as the first animal to orbit the Earth aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft in 1957.
