The title of “first animal in space” is held by several different candidates depending on one’s parameters. If you accept insects, then two American fruit flies were sent into high altitude aboard a V2 rocket back in 1947. If you’re more of a mammal person, then it’s Albert 1 the rhesus monkey you’re looking for, who was also aboard a US rocket. If, however, nothing but true orbital flight will do, then look no further than Russian pooch Laika, whose space journey is now commemorated with a statue in Moscow. All of … [Read more...]