A species still widely used in space research, It was the first animal sent into space. On February 20, 1947, this species was sent to a place where no living creature had ever been.

This living species was a fruit fly. Why were they specifically chosen? Let’s delve together into the interesting details of the subject and the depths of space.

The first living creature to go into space was a fruit fly.

Animals have been used since the beginning of space exploration. Common ones include monkeys and dogs. But the first animal species to be sent were fruit flies. The flies that were sent into space in 1947 on a V2 rocket were excellent passengers because of their size Their light weight made them easier to store and reduced fuel consumption.

At that time, little was known about the effects of cosmic radiation on organic matter and fruit flies Because they have a genetic structure and diseases similar to those of humans were selected for the study. At the end of the mission, scientists discovered that radiation did not cause mutation.

So what other animals have been sent into space?

Besides fruit flies, since the 1940s ants, fish, spiders, cockroaches, turtles, mice, dogs, frogs, cats and jellyfish A variety of animals were sent, including So far, a total of 32 monkeys and 12 dogs have been sent into space. Unfortunately, some animals lost their lives.

Interesting enough, The first animals to get pregnant in space There were cockroaches. The first fish in space spent 48 days in orbit. Today, animals have a much better chance of surviving in space than they did in the twentieth century.

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