Animals in space

FRUIT FLY

• The first animals intentionally sent into space were fruit flies, which traveled along with corn seeds aboard a U.S.-launched V2 rocket in mid July, 1946.

• The purpose of the experiment was to explore the effects of radiation exposure at high altitudes. Some further V2 missions carried biological samples, including moss.

RHESUS MONKEY

• A rhesus monkey called Albert became the first monkey launched on June 11, 1948; also on board a US-launched V2 rocket.
• Albert suffocated during the flight.

DOG LAIKA READY FOR SPACE

• The first animal to actually go into orbit was the dog Laika
• launched on board the Soviet Sputnik 2 spacecraft on November 3, 1957.
• Unfortunately, Laika died during the flight.