Exactly 63 years ago, Félicette achieved the feat of being the first cat to travel and survive a space mission. This event took place on October 18, 1963, and lasted for 13 minutes, according to the publication People this Sunday.
Félicette, a small feline with black and white fur, was found on the streets of Paris, France. She became the only cat to undertake and survive a trip into space.
Although her time outside planet Earth was brief, only 13 minutes, People magazine emphasizes that this journey was part of a crucial moment in the early days of space exploration.
Félicette's mission was launched from a base located in the Sahara Desert. The capsule carrying her reached approximately 160 kilometers above the Earth's surface, while her vital signs, such as heart rate and breathing, were rigorously monitored.
After the capsule separated from the French rocket, Félicette returned to Earth with the help of a parachute.
Months after this extraordinary experience, researchers decided to euthanize her so that studies could be conducted on her brain. In 2019, the work done by the feline received recognition, culminating in the erection of a statue in her honor in the city of Strasbourg, also in France.