In the history of space travel, there has been some brave animal astronauts like Laika the dog and Ham the chimpanzee. However, let’s not forget the feline pioneer Félicette, who in 1963 donned her space suit to become the first—and to date the only—cat to take the ultimate leap beyond the litter box!
While her furry friends were busy chasing laser dots on Earth, Félicette was busy chasing down cosmic rats among the stars, proving once and for all that cats really are out of this world—literally!
This remarkable black-and-white kitten was launched aboard a suborbital flight, where she experienced a brief taste of weightlessness and provided valuable data about the effects of space travel on living organisms.
Félicette’s mission contributed significantly to our understanding of biological responses to space conditions, making her a pioneering figure in the history of space exploration and a charming symbol of both curiosity and adventure in the cosmos.
