On October 18, 1963, a stray cat named Félicette became the first and only cat to ever go to space. She was launched on a suborbital flight from Algeria, and reached an altitude of 157 kilometers (98 miles). Félicette’s flight was part of the French space program, and was designed to test the effects of space travel on living organisms.

Félicette was one of 14 cats that were trained for the flight. The cats were selected based on their size, temperament, and health. Félicette was chosen because she was small and lightweight, and she had a calm personality.

Before the flight, Félicette was implanted with electrodes on her skull so that her brain activity could be monitored. She was also placed in a special capsule that was designed to protect her from the extreme conditions of space travel.

Félicette’s flight lasted for 13 minutes. During that time, she experienced 9.5 times the force of gravity. She also experienced weightlessness and microgravity.

Félicette’s flight was a success. She landed safely back on Earth, and was recovered by the French space team. Félicette was euthanized two months after her flight so that her brain could be examined. The examination showed that Félicette had suffered no permanent damage from her space travel.

Félicette’s flight was a major milestone in the history of space exploration. It showed that it was possible for living organisms to survive space travel, and it paved the way for future human spaceflights.

Félicette’s Legacy Félicette’s flight is often overlooked, but it was an important achievement in the history of space exploration. She was the first and only cat to ever go to space, and her flight helped to pave the way for future human spaceflights.

In recent years, there has been a growing interest in Félicette’s story. In 2019, a statue of Félicette was unveiled at the International Space University in Strasbourg, France. The statue is a tribute to Félicette’s courage and pioneering spirit.

Félicette’s story is a reminder that even the smallest and most humble creatures can make a big impact. She is an inspiration to us all, and her legacy will continue to inspire future generations of explorers.