On October 13, 1960, three black mice named Sally, Amy, and Moe traveled 650 miles into space aboard an Atlas missile nose cone, accompanied by generous supplies of oxygen, oatmeal, peanuts, gelatin, and various scientific instruments. During the flight, the mice entered the hazardous inner Van Allen radiation belt and experienced ten minutes of weightlessness before enduring a fiery reentry into the Earth's atmosphere, landing 5,000 miles downrange. The genetic insights gained from studying the effects of radiation during this mission will be beneficial for future human space travelers.
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| A Sarzin illustrated cachet cover postmarked Cape Canaveral, October 13, 1960, the launch day of the Atlas rocket with Sally, Amy, Moe onboard. |
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| Photo: Sally, Amy, Moe - the three mice that flew into space. |
(Reference from
SPACE: Three Black Mice)
