Flight dogs Otvazhnaya, Snezhinka, and their rabbit partner Marnushka were among the earliest pilots of the Russian Space Program for orbital flight. Their first high altitude test flight was launched on July 2, 1959 in an R2-A rocket. All three members were recovered safely. Marnushka went on the make five more successful high altitude test flights in the following year.
September, 1962 Marnushka became the first rabbit to be launched into space aboard the satellite Artemis and made 12 complete earth orbits. 7 hours into de-orbit, Artemis collided with space debris and sustained critical damages to the left wing and transmissions system. An emergency manual landing was ordered and communications were cut prior to re-entry.
2 October, 1962, Marnushka was recovered unharmed 1200 miles off the east coast of Brazil.
Marnushka received the Gold Star Award for Outstanding Airmanship and a years supply of carrots.
