When I first heard about Félicette, the Persian cat who went to space in 1963, I was both amazed and touched. It’s surprising to imagine a small, quiet animal being part of such a huge and important scientific mission. Most people know about astronauts like Yuri Gagarin or Neil Armstrong, but very few know about Félicette. Her journey was short — only 15 minutes — but it reached 160 kilometers above Earth. That alone makes her story remarkable.

What makes Félicette’s story emotional is the fact that she didn’t choose to go. She was trained, wired with electrodes, and sent into the unknown. Unlike humans, she couldn’t understand what was happening. And yet, she faced it bravely. In my eyes, that makes her incredibly courageous. Her quiet sacrifice reminds us that many scientific advancements came at the cost of innocent lives — lives that couldn’t speak for themselves.

For many years, Félicette’s story was forgotten. But in 2017, a bronze statue was finally raised in her honor. I find this deeply moving. The image of her sitting on Earth, looking up at the stars, is powerful. It symbolizes hope, exploration, and recognition. I feel it’s only fair that her contribution to space history is remembered and respected. She was more than just an experiment — she was a pioneer.

Félicette’s story leaves me with a mix of admiration and sadness. It shows how even the smallest creatures can make a big impact. Her bravery, although silent, inspires me to think about the responsibilities we have toward animals and science. Félicette may have been just a cat to some, but to me, she represents the soul of exploration — curious, fragile, and full of wonder.