Animals were sent into space before humans to test the life support systems and to generate some data regarding the hazards and potential medical concerns for humans.
Laika a dog was the first animal in space it was sent by the soviet union
The first animal sent to Outer space was a dog named Laika.
The USSR sent the first animals into space.
In the 1940s the US sent fruit flies into space
A dog
Russia sent a dog before the US sent chimps.
Many dogs have been to space. The Soviets sent a total of 13 dogs into space between 1957 and 1966.
Chimpanzee
Silkworms in 2003
The Soviet Union sent a dog named Laika into space on July 22, 1951.
On the 3rd of November 1957, the dog Laika, was sent into orbit by the Russians.
Russia sent a dog called Laika into space on 3 November 1957 (which was the first ever satellite, which first flew on October 4 1957).