Product Description

Many readers will doubtless be astonished to learn that animals were being fired aloft in U.S. and Soviet research rockets in the late 1940s. In fact most people not only believe that the Russian space dog Laika was the first canine to be launched into space, but also that the high-profile, precursory Mercury flights of chimps Ham and Enos were the only primate flights conducted by the United States. In fact, both countries had sent literally dozens of animals aloft for many years prior to these events and continued to do so for many years after. Other latter-day space nations, such as France and China, would also begin to use animals in their own space research.

Animals in Space will explain why dogs, primates, mice and other rodents were chosen and tested, at a time when dedicated scientists from both space nations were determined to establish the survivability of human subjects on both ballistic and orbital space flights. It will also recount the way this happened; the secrecy involved and the methods employed, and offer an objective analysis of how the role of animals as spaceflight test subjects not only evolved, but subsequently changed over the years in response to a public outcry led by animal activists. It will explore the ways in which animal high-altitude and space flight research impacted on space flight biomedicine and technology, and how the results - both successful and disappointing - allowed human beings to then undertake that same hazardous journey with far greater understanding and confidence.

This book is intended as a detailed yet highly readable and balanced account of the history of animal space flights, and the resultant application of hard-won research to space technology and astrobiology.  It will undoubtedly become the ultimate authority on animal space flights.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #902709 in Books
• Published on: 2007-01-24
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 406 pages

Review

From the reviews:

"Animals in Space, a relentlessly factual account of animal endeavours in near Earth orbit. … The programme and its relationship to animal rights is surely fertile material for any future popular science work on the subject. … the history of animal space flight is long and fascinating. It deserves its place alongside the human stories of Vostok 1, Apollo 11 and Challenger." (New Scientist, April, 2007)

"Animals in Space is an extremely detailed, yet absorbing, history of animals used in the space programs around the world. … In addition to a list of references at the end of each chapter, the book’s documentation includes photos, charts, and lists of the U.S., Soviet, Chinese, French and international space missions (including Bion and International Space Station) that utilized animals as test and research subjects. … the book will surely serve as a standard on the subject for years to come." (Advocacy for Animals, November, 2007)

About the Author

Colin Burgess is a recognised historian in the field of space literature and has carried out extensive research on the history of animal space flights over many years. Chris Dubbs also carried out comprehensive research on Soviet animal flights. He was selected by the New Mexico Museum of Space History to serve as Guest Curator for their upcoming exhibit on the Soviet space dogs.

Customer Reviews

A "Must-Have" Reference Book
This book belongs in the library of anyone interested in Space Memorabilia or anyone who wants an understanding of how man finally reached space.
There is a fantastic wealth of information as regards the US portion of the Race but, to some degree, anyone knowledgeable in the US program has come across at least some of this before. What is really mind blowing, at least to this reader, is the wealth of information regarding the Russian portion of the Race. Most of us have heard of Belka and Strelka, the dogs sent by the Russians into space prior to Gagarin's first flight. What we don't know is that they were only two of about 100 dogs who were actively involved in the Program.
The book is filled with photos, charts and tables that make for handy reverence and ease of use.
I would strongly recommend adding this book to any space reference library - or just for a good afternoon's read. You are sure to both learn and enjoy.
Michael Orenstein

Perfect bedtime book
This book caught my eye at the library, so I took it home. It's strange how some things never cross one's mind... did you know that fruit flies were actually our first fellow creatures to go for a ride into space? Cool book. Thanks to the authors for putting the time into this - an enjoyable read!