Dogs and Cats In Space
February 28th 2009 04:37
Russian dogs Strelka and Belka went into space aboard Sputnik 5 and returned healthy [NASA Archive
The first and subsequent humans Who travel in space in the early nineteen sixties owe much to the sacrifices of other animals.
Many animals paid the supreme price for the advancement of human knowledge about the conditions in outer space. We owe great debt to these animals. These animals included Dogs mice and monkeys. The Russians were very successful in launching the first dog into space during the late nineteen fifties.
Most of them sadly did not return. Although dogs are widely known to have been sent into space cats however seemed to be overlooked.
In 1963 France Launched a black tomcat a stray from the streets of Paris named Felix (or Felicette perhaps he was a she ? ) into space from a test range in Algeria.
It was the first cat in space Felix thanks to his or her nine lives was recovered.
Laika inside Sputnik 2
[Tass News Agency photo via Russian Space Agency]
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Comment by Damo
9 lives would be handy.
Comment by S.L.
The Political Brief
Comment by Spike 2
Wordophilia
Qwerk
Peanut Butter
How about pigs? The Muppets did that - does that count?
Comment by CarlCan
Astroearth
Thank you all for your comments.
50 years is a long time and things have changed somewhat fo the better in regards to how animals are treated.
I too recall seeing a picture of Laika inside Sputnik 2
I was 7 years old and it made a profound impression on me to this very day I guess Laika looked a lot my dog at the time.
Comment by Lola Tahlulah
Lola Tahlulah