Photos: Pioneering Animals in Space

Laika

Laika, a mixed-breed dog, was the first living being in orbit. She was launched on the Soviet Union's Sputnik 2 mission in November 1957.

Sam the Monkey Astronaut

A rhesus monkey named Sam is shown after his flight of Dec. 4, 1959, which tested the launch-escape system of NASA's Mercury spacecraft.

Miss Sam the Monkey Readies for Flight

The rhesus monkey Miss Sam is placed in a container for a January 1960 flight that tested the launch-escape system of NASA's Mercury capsule.

Ham the Space Chimp

Ham the chimpanzee after his successful suborbital spaceflight of Jan. 31, 1961.

The Legacy of Space Chimps

The real-life Ham is led down the steps from a trailer.

Enos the Chimp Before His Orbital Flight

Enos the chimpanzee being readied for his orbital spaceflight of Nov. 29, 1961.

Iran Space Monkey 1

Iranian space officials announced Monday (Jan. 28, 2013) that they have successfully launched a live monkey into space.

Iran's Space-Traveling Monkey #2

Iranian space officials announced Monday (Jan. 28, 2013) that they have successfully launched a live monkey into space.