Stray cat became the only cat ever sent to space
In 1963, a small black-and-white cat named Félicette became part of a unique moment in history.
She was a stray from the streets of Paris who was selected by French researchers for an important scientific mission. At the time, many countries were trying to understand how living beings reacted to space travel, and animals were often chosen to help gather that early knowledge.
Félicette was trained to remain calm while gentle sensors recorded her brain and body activity.
On October 18, 1963, she was placed inside a small capsule and launched into space. Her heart raced as the rocket lifted, but she made the journey safely and even experienced brief weightlessness before her capsule returned to Earth by parachute.
Félicette survived the flight, and her mission contributed to early research that later helped improve human space travel. Although she did not live long after the mission, many people today remember her with kindness and respect. Monuments and tributes now honour her as the only cat ever sent to space, ensuring her story is never forgotten.
