10 Animals Who Reached Space Before Humans

Going to Space has always been a daring endeavor, but before astronauts could go beyond our planet, some remarkable animals have gone before. These creatures were the first to face the unknowns of space, providing invaluable data on the effects of microgravity, radiation, and other space conditions. 

Their journeys helped lay the groundwork for human spaceflight, revealing crucial information about how living organisms cope with space travel. Here are the stories of the extraordinary animals who had gone into space long before humans.

Monkey – Albert I

Albert I was a rhesus monkey who ventured into space aboard a V-2 rocket in 1948. Although the mission ended tragically with Albert I’s death, his flight marked a significant step in space exploration. The data collected from this early attempt helped scientists understand the physiological impacts of space travel on higher mammals.

Dog – Laika

Laika, a Soviet space dog, became a symbol of space exploration in 1957 when she became the first animal to orbit Earth aboard Sputnik 2. Unfortunately, Laika did not survive the mission, but her journey paved the way for future space missions. The data gathered from Laika’s flight were crucial in understanding the effects of space travel on living organisms.

Monkey – Miss Baker and Able

In 1959, Miss Baker and Able, two rhesus monkeys, made history as the first primates to return safely from space. Their successful mission aboard a U.S. Jupiter AM-18 rocket provided vital information on the effects of space travel on biological systems, proving that it was possible for living creatures to survive and return from space.

Fruit Flies

It all began with the tiny fruit fly. In 1947, these small insects became the first living creatures in space when they were sent aboard a U.S. V-2 rocket. The primary goal was to study the effects of radiation exposure at high altitudes. Despite their modest size, fruit flies provided critical insights into biological processes and the impact of space conditions on living cells.

Tortoises

In 1968, the Soviet Zond 5 mission took two tortoises on a journey around the Moon, making them the first animals to orbit the Moon and return safely to Earth. The tortoises, along with other biological specimens, provided crucial information on how organisms cope with long-duration space travel and exposure to cosmic radiation.

Rabbit – Marfusha

Marfusha, a rabbit, took part in a Soviet space mission in 1959, traveling to high altitudes with two dogs. Her mission provided unique insights into how the cardiovascular and respiratory systems of rabbits reacted to space conditions. Marfusha’s successful return added valuable data to the growing body of knowledge on the biological impacts of space travel.

Cat – Félicette

In 1963, Félicette, a French cat, became the first feline to journey into space. Her mission, conducted by the French government, aimed to study the effects of space travel on brain activity. Félicette’s safe return and the data collected from her mission helped scientists better understand how space affects neurological functions.

Bullfrogs

NASA’s 1970 Orbiting Frog Otolith mission sent two bullfrogs into space to study the effects of microgravity on their vestibular system, which is essential for balance. The results from this mission contributed to our understanding of how spaceflight affects balance and orientation in vertebrates.

Fish

Fish have also played a role in space research. In 1973, the U.S. sent mummichog fish to Skylab to investigate how microgravity impacts aquatic life. More recently, zebrafish have been used aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to study muscle development, behavior, and other physiological changes in space.

Chimpanzee – Ham

Ham, a chimpanzee, made history on January 31, 1961, by becoming the first primate to successfully complete a space mission. His flight aboard a Mercury Redstone rocket provided crucial data that contributed to the success of future human spaceflights, including Alan Shepard’s historic mission.