Sent by the US aboard a V-2 rocket, to study radiation exposure at high altitudes. The flies survived, making them the first living organisms in space.
The USE sent the first Rhesus monkey, Albert I aboard a V-2 rocket. He reached space but died due to a launch failure. Albert II also died aboard the same rocket when the parachute failed during the re-entry.
Laika, the dog was sent by the Soviet Union. It was the first animal to orbit Earth aboard Sputnik 2. Laika died due to overheating a few hours into the mission.
The Soviet Union sent two dogs- Belka and Strelka aboard Sputnik 5. They were the first animals to survive an orbital mission and return safely.
Sent by the US aboard a Mercury-Redstone rocket. Ham, the chimp performed tasks during a suborbital flight and survived and was safely recovered.
Sent by France aboard a Véronique AG1 rocket. The cat named Félicette was the first and only cat to be sent to space and she returned safely.
Sent by the Soviet Union aboard Zond 5. They orbited the Moon and returned to Earth. They survived the mission, making them the first animals to circle the Moon and return safely.
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