We've all heard about Laika, the first dog in space and Ham the Astrochimp, but not many of us have heard of Felicette, the first astro-kitty. Fifty-four years (and less than a month) ago, on October 18, 1963, the French government launched Felicette, a stray found on the streets of Paris, insto space to study the effects of weightlessness on animals. If Felicette could survive, humans could survive. Her flight lasted on fifteen minutes, reaching a heigh of 156 kilometers. She parachuted to safety and was recovered alive.
Three months later, French scientists euthanized her to study her brain implant. Bastards.
There is now a crowdfunding campaign happening to raise money for a bronze statue to commemorate her work. Laika has a bronze statue. Ham is buried at the International Space Hall of Fame in New Mexico. It's way past time to give Felicette her place in history!
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A9licette
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/11/09/first-cat-in-space-to-receive-proper-memorial.html
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