Animals in SpaceBy: Dylan Cuenca

Which of these animals

have been to space?

Answer: All of them!The types of animals that have been in space • Monkeys• Cats• Dogs• Mice• Hamsters• Fruit Flies• Goldfish• Frogs

Why are animals sent to space?

Animals were sent to space originally to test the survivability of spaceflight before humans went to space. The

purpose of sending animals to space was to test the effects of radiation

exposure at high altitudes.

When was the first animal sent to space?Fruit Flies were the first species to be sent to space on February 20, 1947. Fruit Flies are used , because they are genetically similar to humans. More fruit flies are

scheduled to be sent to space within a year to study the effects of long term space

travel on the human cardiovascular system.

When was the first mammal sent to space?• In 1949 a Rhesus monkey named Albert

II was sent in a specially adapted rocket to 83 miles above Earth.

• In 1957 a Russian dog named Laika became the first animal to orbit Earth.

What do we learn from animals in space?

Generally we learn how the human body may react to microgravity, but we have discovered

other things as well. Most animals adapt quickly and go about their business as they do on Earth.

Although it was found that fish swim in loops because they have no sense of direction without

gravity.

Are animals safe in space?When animals are sent into space they are taken care of in the most humane way possible. The rules for housing the animals are more explicit than those for children in daycare on Earth. The US Department of Agriculture protects the rights of animals in space.

Are we still sending animals today?

Yes. In fact a monkey was sent to space on January 28, 2013 by Iran. Many say that Iran is following a path similar to that taken by the United States. Today fewer animals are being sent space due to cutbacks in the space program budget.

Thank you for viewing my presentation!