The Story of Félicette: The First Cat in Space

The Story of Félicette: The First Cat in Space

On October 18, 1963, France embarked on a unique space mission featuring a feline, following the earlier experiments conducted by Russia and the United States involving various animals. This mission involved a training program for a group of 14 cats, which were subjected to specialized equipment such as high-g centrifuges and decompression chambers. Ultimately, only six of these cats completed their training, with Félicette emerging as the chosen candidate.

The Selection of Félicette

Félicette, a stray with a striking black and white coat, was selected due to her physical attributes and calm demeanor. Weighing in at 2.5 kg, she was deemed an ideal candidate for the mission. Initially designated as C 341, the media later dubbed her Félicette, a nod to the famous cat Felix, created by Otto Messmer.

The Launch

Félicette was launched aboard the Véronique AGI 47 sounding rocket from the Centre interarmées d’essais d’engins spéciaux in Algeria at 8:09 AM. Throughout the mission, her vital signs were monitored using electrodes implanted in her skull and on her legs to track brain activity and heart rate. Additionally, two microphones were installed—one beneath her abdomen and another on the rocket's nose cone—to capture her breathing sounds. The mission lasted a total of 13 minutes, during which Félicette experienced a suborbital flight. The rocket achieved an acceleration of 9.5 g for 42 seconds before reaching an altitude of 152 kilometers, at which point the capsule separated from the rocket. During the flight, she experienced five minutes of weightlessness. Approximately nine minutes into the mission, a parachute deployed, initiating the capsule's descent. The landing occurred 10 minutes and 36 seconds after launch, and Félicette was safely recovered.

An Astronaut at Heart

Throughout the entire mission, Félicette remained remarkably calm, handling the experience like a seasoned astronaut. She earned the distinction of being the first cat in history to travel into space.

For more information:

• Check out NASA's article, “A Brief History of Animals in Space.”