On This Day in Space: Russian Tortoises Launched Around Moon on Zond 5 in 1968

Summary

On September 15, 1968, the Soviet Union launched Zond 5, sending tortoises and other critters on the first circumlunar flight around the moon before splashing down in the Indian Ocean. This mission, which saw the animals survive, significantly influenced the Space Race and NASA's decision to launch Apollo 8. The article also notes the Cassini spacecraft's 'Grand Finale' death dive into Saturn on the same date in 2017.