Trivia
HardThe First Large Mammals Sent To Space That Survived Were?
Answer: Dogs
In the early days of space exploration and planning, animals were used to test safety conditions in order to pave the way for human occupied spacecraft. Among the earliest animals used were dogs due to their abundance, how easily they could be trained, and compared to the expense and complexity of handling mammals like chimps, the cost of dogs was trivial.
The most famous space dog, Laika–sent into space by the Soviets in 1957–never returned to Earth and her space capsule burned up in the atmosphere after its orbit degraded in 1958 (long after she would have died in the capsule). Later Soviet launches, however, yielded a return trip for the occupants. In 1960, two dogs (Belka and Strelka) successfully orbited the Earth and returned alive. Not only were the dogs celebrities in Russia, but one of Strelka’s puppies, Pushinka, became a gift for President John F. Kennedy’s daughter Caroline.
Although Belka and Strelka got the spotlight for their daring trip, it’s worth noting that the trip was a success for smaller creatures too–in addition to the high profile payload of two dogs, the spacecraft also carried a rabbit, 42 mice, two rats, a container of flies, several plants, and fungi.
Trivia
HardWhen You See New Growth Rising Out Of An Old Tree Stump, You’re Seeing A?
Trivia
Very HardWhich Of These Is The Fastest Selling Consumer Electronic Device Of All Time?
Trivia
HardIn The Early 2000s, Apple Had Issues With An iBook Laptop That Smelled Like?
Trivia
HardWhich Breed Of Dogs Is Considered The Universal Blood Donor For Their Species?
Trivia
HardLearning To Play Which Of These Instruments Helps With Sleep Apnea?
Trivia
HardThe Practice Of “Forest Bathing”, Walking In Woodland Areas For Health Purposes, Originated In?
Trivia
HardWhich Of These Caterpillars, Found Throughout The Southeastern U.S., Is Covered In Stinging Hairs?
Trivia
HardTo Halt An Editing War, Wikipedia Had To Ban All IP Addresses Belonging To?
Trivia
HardWhich Famous American Building Is More Radioactive Than A Nuclear Power Plant?