This book is as a detailed, but highly readable and balanced account of
the history of animal space flights carried out by all nations, but
principally the United States and the Soviet Union. It explores 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. Unlike other books which were written for younger readers,
this is a comprehensive and fully researched book that will be used as
the ultimate reference on the subject. Other books have concentrated on
the animal space flights and research carried out by either of the two
major spacefaring superpowers. This book tells the total story and will
undoubtedly become the ultimate authority on animal space flights.