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Human beings were actually not the first species of animal to be sent into space. See how much you know about those brave animals who helped greatly expand our understanding of space travel.

How Much Do You Know About Animals In Space?

Launched aboard the U.S. V-2 rocket in 1947, the fruit fly was the first animal sent into space.

Fruit Fly

What was the first type of animal to be sent into space?

Prior to sending humans into space, NASA felt it necessary to understand how radiation exposure at high altitudes would effect other animals (Fruit Flies).

See the effects of radiation exposure

What was the initial purpose of sending an animal into space?

Albert II became the first space monkey when we launched his rocket 83 miles into the air on June 14th, 1949. The goal of the mission was to measure his vital signs with sensors during the course of the trip.
Sadly, Albert II died on impact after a parachute failure.

United States

Which country launched the first monkey into space?

Laika, launched aboard the Soviet Sputnik 2 spacecraft, became the first animal to orbit the Earth in 1957. The stated goal of sending Laika into space was to test the safety of space travel for humans. She sadly passed away during the flight.

Laika

What was the name of the first ever dog to orbit the Earth?

These two monkeys became the first ever to survive spaceflight after they were launched by the United States in 1959. They traveled to an altitude of 300 miles and provided NASA with more information about the potential for human space travel.

Baker and Able

Which pair of monkeys were the first to survive a spacecraft flight?

France launched Hector into space in February of 1961. He flew to a height of 93 miles and lived to tell the tale. The reasoning behind why France chose a rat as opposed to another species of animal remains a mystery.

France

Which country flew the first rat into space?

Nadezhda, a common house cockroach, was the first animal to give birth in space. She was sent into space by the Russians in 2007 with the intent of seeing how gravity impacts an animal's conception and development. Early findings showed that their exoskeletons darkened much faster than expected.

Cockroach

Which species of animal was the first to give birth in outer space?

Operated by Ham the Chimp, Mercury-Redstone 2 was the penultimate test flight of the Mercury-Redstone Launch Vehicle. Ham's goal was to test the functioning of the life support system during five minutes without gravity. Although the spacecraft crashed in the Atlantic Ocean, Ham survived the impact and appeared to be in good spirits.

Mercury-Redstone 2

What mission was operated by a Chimp?

You don't know much about animals in space.

You have clearly studied some about animal space travel.

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How Much Do You Know About Animals In Space?

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