October 18, 2022
On this date in 1963, Félicette the cat was launched into space as part of the French space program. She was one of 14 cats trained for the spaceflight. The cats had electrodes implanted on their skulls to monitor their neurological activity. Félicette survived the flight but was euthanized so scientists could study her brain.
The top two images show Félicette (far right, bottom row) and the other cats trained for space flight. The bottom image shows Félicette in the carrier prior to launch. Image credit: CNES