The Secret History Of The First Cat In Space

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On October 18th, 1963, the Centre national d'études in France was set to send a small cat named Félix into space. After lagging behind its Soviet and American competitors, France was eager to stake its claim in the space race - with cats, for some reason. But on launch day, the mischievous little beast went missing - and an accidental heroine stepped in to take his place. Her name was Félicette.

On October 24th, 1963, Félicette jetted 130 miles above Earth on a liquid-fueled French Véronique AG1 rocket, soaring high above the Algerian Sahara Desert. She returned just fifteen minutes later, already a decorated heroine for her nation.

(via Neatorama)