Monkeys and other Animals in Space
Information about monkeys and other animals in space
Have you ever thought about the special sacrifices that had to be made in order to get astronauts up to the moon?
Since the early days of space exploration scientists used animals in space programs. Monkeys, dogs, cats and other animals were sent into space missions.
Many animals - mainly monkeys and dogs helped scientists learn more about "great unknown".
These animals were sent to space to investigate the biological processes, the gravity, and the effects of space flight on living beings.
Monkeys are used often used in this type of tests because they had very similar body structure to humans and sometimes were trained to perform several tasks during the flight.
Numerous monkeys were launched into space. They were sent to space in order to analyze the biological processes and other effects of space flight. Many of these experiments were cruel, but generated usable data. Read all about these monkey astronauts.
(more)Why are space chimps so important? Before humans went into space the chimps were used to test the effects of space flight. They were trained to carry out various tasks on space ships by getting bananas for performing correctly and receiving mild electric shocks for making mistakes.
(more)During Cold War, USA and USSR carried many missions with animals in space. But why are space animals so important? What were the first living animals to survive orbital flight? Learn more about animals in space and how they helped with space exploration.
(more) Space monkey facts
- Animal research beyond Earth’s orbit began during 1940’s.
- United States launched the first animal space mission in the late 1940’s.
- The first monkey who went into space was Albert.
- Ham was the first chimpanzee launched into space.
- The chimp Enos was the first non-human primate in orbit.
- Félix and Félicette were the first cats in space.
- Laika was the first dog in space and the first living creature who reached earth orbit.
- Female dogs are better candidates for space programs because they had better temperament in small enclosed spaces.
- In order to investigate possible missions to Mars, many squirrel monkeys will receive a low dose of radiation (NASA).
- Over 60 years of space animal experiments, greatly improved our knowledge of the universe and reduced human injuries and loss of life in space exploration.
- Space monkeys are also known as Monkeynauts!
If you want to learn a little more about these furry astronauts, read all our articles.
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Latest articles
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- Russian Space Monkeys
While USA focused its efforts mainly on short-term monkey test flights, Soviet Union’s testing with monkeys came 20 years later, where they tested long-term space influence on flights that lasted between 5 and 14 days. Read all about Russian space monkeys.
- Enos - first chimp launches into Earth orbit
Enos was the first chimpanzee that successfully orbited the Earth. His training was more intense than the Ham's. Read about Enos training and his space travel.
- Ham the chimp in space
Ham was the first chimpanzee launched into outer space in the American space program. Read about Ham the Chimp's interesting life.
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Featured articles
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- Space radiation on monkeys
For many years, NASA has used monkeys to study radiation exposures to animals (and humans). In order to investigate possible missions to Mars, NASA announced new sets of experiments on squirrel monkeys. Monkeys will receive a low dose of radiation.
- Animal in space
What was the world's first animal in space? Many monkeys, dogs, cats mice, rats, frogs, tortoise, and even a spiders were launched into space. Learn all about history of animals in space.
- Soviet space dogs
Dogs are well suited to endure long periods of inactivity, but not all dogs are perfect candidates for space flights. Soviet scientist tested many types and species of dogs to determine a suitable dog for space missions.