The first animals in space. Squirrel and Arrow - Space Dogs

On the twelfth of April the whole world celebrates Cosmonautics Day. It was then, in the distant 1961, the first escape to outer space was made by Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin.

In order for a person to be able to visit space without fearing for his health and not endangering his life, years of scientific research and many practical experiments were needed.

It's no secret that long before people saw the Earth through the porthole of the spaceship, animals had already visited space. Planting shaggy cosmonauts on an aircraft that takes them beyond the earth's atmosphere, the man carefully watched how the first animals behave in space and how they feel. Special equipment allowed to monitor even minor changes in the functioning of their body systems. These data provided an opportunity to improve the technology of the aircraft, so that in the future it could be launched into space without risk to his health.

The most common myth

What animals were sent to space first? Many people think this question is elementary. Most often in response we heard that the first animals to see the space were a couple of mongrel dogs with the names of Belk and Strelka. And, to the surprise of many, we are forced to report that this answer is incorrect.

And who was the first?

At the initial stages of research, American scientists sent primates to space. These animals were chosen because of their physiological intimacy with man.

The first such suborbital flight was carried out by NASA specialists on June 11, 1948. Unfortunately, during this experiment the monkey did not survive. The next few launches of living creatures were with the same outcome. But during these flights, still managed to collect information that allowed to improve technology, and animals that flew into space, began to safely return to Earth alive and healthy. In the sixties, flights were also launched with the launch into orbit.

In total, within the framework of scientific programs conducted by the United States between 1948 and 1969, 32 primates were launched into space.

Space travel of dogs

At the same time, in parallel with America, the Soviet Union conducted its studies of the cosmos. For them, dogs were more often used. Do you know which first animal flew into space from the Russian cosmodrome?

Desik and Gypsy - these two yard dogs on July 22, 1951 set off on a ballistic missile in the upper atmosphere. Having reached the conditional border with the cosmos, which is at an altitude of 100 km, they fell safely to the ground in a special capsule. The flight lasted 20 minutes, and after it both dogs felt excellent. Exactly one week later another flight was completed, which ended less successfully. Desic, re-sent into space, and one more rocket passenger, a dog named Fox, crashed on landing, as the parachute, which was supposed to ensure a smooth landing of the capsule, did not open.

The first victims of space experts caused the experience of the leaders of this experiment. But the research did not stop. In total, during the period from 1959 to 1960, 29 suborbital flights were carried out, involving dogs, rabbits, white rats and mice. Some of the first animals in space during their travel were under anesthesia - in order to study the physiological state of the organism.

Animal flying into orbit

The first flight of the spacecraft with entry into orbit, on board which were living creatures, was produced on November 3, 1957. And if before that the animals were sent in pairs, now the passenger of the Soviet ship Sputnik-2 was one and only dog named Laika. Although technically the return of the dog was not possible, but she died during the flight, after 5 hours, completing 4 full turns around the Earth. The cause of her death was severe stress and overheating of the body. It is Laika - this is the first animal that flew into space into orbit and, unfortunately, did not return.

The next time a satellite with live passengers on board was sent into orbit only three years later. It happened on July 28, 1960. The flight was also unsuccessful, the spacecraft exploded 38 seconds after the engines started. The dog-cosmonauts Lisichka and Chaika died in this experiment.

And then, on August 19, 1960, the spacecraft "Sputnik-5" entered orbit, made 17 turns around the earth and successfully landed. All this time on board were all known Belka and Strelka. After the commission in March 1961 of several more such successful flights, it was decided to send the first person into space.

Selection of animals for experiments in space

The first animals in space were not just so, they were carefully selected and underwent special training before the flight. It is interesting that when selecting dogs for participation in flights, they preferred the courtyard, outbred individuals, because they are physically more enduring.

For orbital flights, healthy dogs weighing no more than six kilograms and growing to 35 cm, at the age of two to six years, were required. Place sensors that read information, it was most convenient for short-haired animals.

Before the flight, dogs were trained to be in closed chambers simulating the cabin of a spacecraft, not to be afraid of loud sounds and vibrations, to eat using a special apparatus that serves food in weightlessness.

Interesting facts about the first flight of Squirrels and Arrows into orbit

It is said that the flight of Squirrels and Arrows into space has opened the way for people to the stars.

Few people know that in fact these lovely dogs were called Albina and the Marquise, but before the experiment began it was instructed to replace the foreign nicknames with the Soviet ones, and now the first animals in space, who had been in orbit and returned safely to Earth, are familiar to us under the names Arrow And Squirrel.

Dogs were chosen from a large number of applicants, but, in addition to the basic physical parameters, the color of the wool was important. The advantage was of light-colored animals, which made it easier to monitor them through monitors. An important factor was the attractiveness of dogs, as if the experiment was successful, they would certainly be presented to the general public.

Although the estimated duration of the flight of Belka and Strelka was one day, but during training and testing the animals were in conditions close to the flight for up to eight days.

During the flight, a life-support system was working on board, and food and water were supplied to dogs under conditions of weightlessness using a special apparatus. In general, the animals felt good, and only during the launch of the rocket they had a rapid heartbeat. This indicator was normalized when the spacecraft reached the orbit.

After successful completion of space exploration by animals, it became clear - a person can also go beyond the terrestrial atmosphere and return alive and unharmed.

Other animals that have been in space

In addition to primates and dogs outside the earth's atmosphere, other animals, such as cats, turtles, frogs, snails, rabbits, mice, cockroaches, newts and even some fish species have visited. Many will be interested to know that on March 22, 1990, a chicken from a quail egg was able to hatch on the Mir spaceship. This is the first fact of the birth of a living being in space.

Can animals reproduce in space?

But the fact that in a previously fertilized egg can develop and nestle a chick in space conditions does not mean that animals and plants in space can multiply. NASA scientists have proven that cosmic radiation adversely affects the reproductive function of living beings. Sex cells, because of the numerous fluxes of protons in outer space, cease to fulfill their function. Conception becomes impossible. Also, in the course of experiments, it was not possible to preserve embryos already born in space. They immediately ceased to evolve and perish.