Which was the first animal to return from space?
March, 9: First animal returned from space
The United States and the U.S.S.R. had been putting animals atop rockets since 1947. In the early days of rocket science, no one knew what the effects of weightlessness would be. Animals — mainly dogs, monkeys and chimps — were used to test the safety and feasibility of launching a living being into space and bringing it back unharmed. Able, a Rhesus monkey, and Baker, a squirrel monkey, were launched together on May 28, 1959. They flew 300 miles high and returned unharmed. However, Able died during an operation to remove an electrode from under her skin. Baker lived until 1984, dying of kidney failure at age 27.
What are your thoughts on this subject?
46 Comments
Tim Lynn
Houston, we have a problem. No consensus on the first animal in space.
DannyBoy
So, was the dog in the front of the return rocket and the mice & guinea pig in the back? Is this a minor technicality in seat positions on re-entry? I chose mice. lol
George Edwards
Wikipedia: "On 22 July 1951, the Soviet Union launched the R-1 IIIA-1 flight, carrying the dogs Tsygan (Russian: Цыган, "Gypsy") and Dezik (Russian: Дезик) into space, but not into orbit.[6] These two dogs were the first living higher organisms successfully recovered from a spaceflight.[6] Both space dogs survived the flight, although one would die on a subsequent flight. The U.S. launched mice aboard spacecraft later that year; however, they failed to reach the altitude for true spaceflight."(The question says return from space, not orbit, so "monkee" is wrong answer. I want my points back!.)
La La
Some questions come from the submissions of other quiz takers.
David Bailey
The dogs reached space on July 22, 1951, but did not orbit. They were the first mammals successfully recovered from spaceflight.
Steve Garton
Wrong again. Gees. There are conflicting stories on the internet on this but none say monkey, as she was killed. Space.com says; "Russian dogs Tsygan and Dezik, were aboard the R-1 IIIA-1. The dogs reached space on July 22, 1951. They were the first mammals successfully recovered from spaceflight alive.".
Ruben Pages
How many innocent lives did Hitler take from 1933 - 45? Animals are good to spare along with some humans. You will never find out. Even with the Disclosure Provision, records will be blacked out 80%. Just like Roswell. Pay attention to you own intuition. Papers and reports are cheap. The government has a clear need to lie. at about everything. Five hundred, 1,000 pages "doctored" reports are constantly fed into "the people". Politicians are the only ones with brains. The rest?, oh, well; we are azzholes.
Ruben Pages
They are humans in disguise. Don~t tell anybody, they will take "away". Like in a straight jacket.
Donaldo Davisini
My research confirms fruit flies were the first animals to go outer space.
Robert Cairns
I knew it was a monkey and still answered wrong
dianna inmon
I said monkey and it said my answer was dog
James C. Weyers
I was robbed I clicked monkey but it said I choose dog.
Stu Chisholm
But... I clicked monkey! Darn ol' Quizzclub!
Susan Kostenbauder
If you people would of read the story they tell you all would know~ a Rhesus Monkey, named ABEL & a Squirrel Monkey named ,BAKER , went up together in May 28,1959 they went 300 miles & came back down. .. ABEL DIED DURING SURGERY & BAKER lived I think it was 27yrs & died I think in the 80''s ......
Susan Kostenbauder
It was a monkey that was the first animal to return to earth, doesn't say anything about being alive or dead !!! For FRUITFLIES THEY ARE INSECTS" NOT AN ANIMAL !!!!!
Jason Prock
Um it is a Monkey, I chose Monkey, it told me I chose dog. Twice....
Paul Peterson
According to Space.com The first dog in space was aboard Sputnik 2. She did not return and died in space. Sputnik 2 eventually returned but burned up in the upper atmosphere.