Animals In Space

Before it was deemed safe enough for humans to travel into space, animals were used to test the safety aspects.
Today we salute those unsung heroes.

Albert 2 became the first monkey in Space on June 14th 1949 launched by the United States on board a German V2 rocket. Albert died on impact after a parachute failure.

An American mouse took the second flight in 1950 again on board a German V2. He survived!

In January 1951 the USSR launched two dogs Tsygan and Dezik into space on a straight up straight down flight.

The first animal to orbit the Earth was the Russian dog Laika onboard sputnik 2 in November 1957. Laika died during the flight. Almost 60 dogs have been launched into space.

Gordo the squirrel flew from Florida in 1958, but he too was lost when the parachute for the nose cone failed to operate. Gordo hit the ground at over 10,000 mph.

Two monkeys, 'Able' and 'Baker' became the first monkeys to survive their flight at an altitude of 360 miles. But Able died four days later.

On January 31st 1961, Ham the chimp was launched in a Mercury capsule aboard a Redstone rocket, paving the way for American Alan Shepard . And later that year Enos the chimp orbited the earth in another mercury capsule prior to John Glenn's orbital flight.

France launched three rats during 1961 and it seems sent a cat called Felix after them in 1962.

Two Russian dogs hold the record for the longest in Space when they spent 22 days in orbit. (looking for a lamp post no doubt)

Since these early days a hole selection of animals from flies and stick insects to frogs and even fish have taken the trip into space.

The Russians sent a tortoise on a round trip to the Moon back in 1968, not sure if its home yet.

Hail the animals!

For more intriguing facts about space check out our other videos here on VideoJug.