No one knew what would happen to living beings in space. So scientists tested the situation by sending nonhuman creatures into space first. Initial launches carried fruit flies, monkeys, mice, and dogs. Those journeys confirmed that living things could survive short flights into space. Then, in November 1957, the Soviet Union sent the first living creature into Earth orbit. The dog, Laika, died in space—humans had not yet found a way to bring back travelers. Before sending humans into space, the United States sent a variety of creatures to test its Mercury capsule, including monkeys Gordo, Able, and Baker, and chimpanzees Ham (RIGHT) and Enos. Studies on space flights and the effects of gravity have continued and expanded to a variety of creatures. Scientists have observed rabbits, rats, frogs, cats,…
