Animals that went into the space before humans did
Times of India - ScienceWednesday, July 9, 2025 at 11:00:59 AM
Before humans ever left Earth's atmosphere, animals were the pioneers of space travel. Scientists launched everything from fruit flies to dogs (like the famous Soviet pup Laika) to test how living creatures would handle weightlessness and other space conditions. Some, like Belka and Strelka, made it back safely—others weren’t so lucky. These early missions paved the way for human spaceflight by answering critical questions about survival beyond our planet.
Editor’s Note: It’s easy to forget that space exploration wasn’t just about brave astronauts—it started with brave (and often unwilling) animal test subjects. Their sacrifices and successes helped scientists understand the risks of space travel, making human missions possible. This story is a reminder of the weird, sometimes dark, but always fascinating steps science takes to push boundaries.
— Curated via WP Now’s
