Starting from the late forties of the 20th century, rockets were already powerful enough to rise to a height of several hundred kilometers. It was then that they began to conduct experiments with animals. Four-legged assistants were launched into space, thus trying to find out what awaits man outside our planet.

In 1949, Professor Chernov and Doctor Yakovlev began biological experiments in our country. Scientists needed to test how a living organism tolerates overload, loud noise and weightlessness.

Academicians suggested taking mongrel dogs for training flights. It was believed that street dogs were more resilient.

On November 3, 1957, the first living creature, the dog Laika, was sent from the Baikonur Cosmodrome, just a month after the launch of the first artificial Earth satellite.

During the flight, the animal was tightly tied. Special sensors were placed on the body that showed body temperature and heartbeat. We had to make special feeders for the astronaut dogs and even invent special food so that the animals could eat in zero gravity.

Unfortunately, Laika’s flight ended tragically. Firstly, from overheating and shock, the dog died within a few hours, and besides, scientists had not yet developed descent vehicles that would return the dog from Earth orbit.

The first dogs to return from space alive and unharmed were Belka and Strelka. The four-legged astronauts were greeted as heroes. Currently, stuffed animals of these animals are in the Moscow Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics.

Also on board the spacecraft there were two more white rats and 40 mice, some of which died in orbit.

Various cases have occurred with dogs flying in space; a total of 48 dogs have been there. Each spacecraft launch was accompanied by secrecy, so the names of the animals changed very often. So, for example, it was decided to send a dog named Udacha, and a few minutes before the flight, she was given the nickname Zvezdochka.

The rockets launched with other passengers. For example, monkeys, rats, guinea pigs, mice, and rabbits have been in space. The most “experienced” cosmonauts were two rabbits – Zvezdochka and Marfushka.

Most often, special midges, snails, and turtles are launched on biosatellites. Also, the biological module “Nature” is currently sent on board space stations along with the astronauts. Here animals not only live, but also reproduce.

So, several generations of birds were bred in special incubators.

Of course, sending animals into space contributes not only to the study of space and the study of life in zero gravity, but also to the solution of other problems. For example, lizards without tails were sent into space, and scientists studied the process of cell restoration. And recently cockroaches were returned from space. After studying them, scientists noted that they changed color and the individuals became more viable.

In addition to all this, plants were also sent into space.

The study of outer space is also carried out in other countries of the world, where experiments are carried out on various animals.

So, in 1959, the Americans launched Bonnie the monkey into space.

France is the only country that has launched cats into space.

Iran launched turtles into space.

The flights of animals, one might say, were a dress rehearsal before launching humans into space. They checked whether the astronaut could survive the flight, how the life support system functioned on board the ship, and what effect the flight would have on a person. According to the plan, before each human flight there should be two successful launches of animals on board.

The heroic mission of animals did not go unnoticed by conservationists. In 1958, in Paris, in front of the building of the Society for the Protection of Dogs, a column was erected in honor of animals who gave their lives in the name of science. On top of it is a granite satellite with Laika. In 1997, a monument to Laika was unveiled in Star City.

As a result of our research activities, we decided to propose our own design plan for a monument to astronaut animals. Students, parents, and teachers worked to create this sculpture. The following materials were used: polystyrene foam, sculpture plasticine, polyurethane foam.

Here we can see a monkey, a Laika, a turtle, rats and many other animals.

We believe that the topic of our project is relevant - animals help reveal many secrets and mysteries of nature. Therefore, animals and plants will fly into space more than once, and astronauts will delight us with their discoveries.

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