Animals in space

Several animals died in space or died after crash landing or being overheated before recovery before humans had a chance to risk their lives on space shots. The Soviet Union sent dogs into space and recovered some, including Pushinka, whom Nikita Khrushchev gave to Caroline Kennedy while her father was president. NASA launched Ham the Astrochimp, the first hominid in space, after rigorous training, and Ham survived the flight, splashed down in the Atlantic, and retired at the National Zoo.