* Astronomy

The first animals sent into space were fruit flies aboard a U.S.-launched V2 rocket on February 20, 1947. The purpose of the experiment was to explore the effects of radiation exposure at high altitudes. The rocket reached 109 km in 3 minutes and 10 seconds, past both the U.S. 50-mile and the international 100 km definitions of the edge of space. The Blossom capsule was ejected and successfully deployed its parachute. The fruit flies were recovered alive. Other V2 missions carried biological samples, including moss.
Source

EXPERIMENTAL DATA

Ionosphere: Propagation transmitters failed after burnout, no data. Bipolar probe data in good agreement with expected electron density values, interpretation of data in doubt. 
Pressure-temperature: Pressure data from 55.3 to 66.5 miles. Temperature lower than NACA standard. 
Sky brightness: Satisfactory equipment operation, data poor after 40 sec. due to rocket roll 
Biological: Seeds recovered and flies still alive. 
Voltage breakdown: Data questionable.

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