What cat flew into space? - briefly
The first cat to fly into space was named Félicette. She was launched by the French on October 18, 1963, aboard a Véronique AG1 rocket.
What cat flew into space? - in detail
The first feline to venture into space was a stray cat named Felicette, also known as "little lucky one." This historic event took place on October 18, 1963, during the peak of the Space Race between the United States and the Soviet Union.
Felicette's journey began in Paris, where she was captured along with other stray cats for use in scientific experiments. She was chosen due to her small size and health, making her a suitable candidate for space travel. The mission was conducted by the French Space Program, which aimed to study the effects of radiation on living organisms ahead of potential human spaceflight.
The cat was launched aboard a Véronique AG1 rocket from the Algerian Sahara desert. During her flight, Felicette reached an altitude of 97 miles (156 kilometers) before parachuting back to Earth. The entire mission lasted about 13 minutes.
Despite the successful flight and safe return, little is known about Felicette's fate after the experiment. The lack of information has led to various speculations and myths surrounding her story. However, her achievement remains significant in the history of space exploration as she paved the way for future research involving animals before human spaceflight.
While Felicette's mission was a remarkable feat, it is essential to note that the use of animals in space travel has been a subject of ethical debate. The practice has largely been discontinued in favor of alternative methods and technologies that do not involve living organisms. Nevertheless, Felicette's legacy serves as an important reminder of the early pioneering efforts in space science.