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In 1968, two Soviet tortoises circled the Moon and returned alive before Apollo 8

Times of India - Science · 15 August 2026 at 1:45 pm

In 1968, two Soviet tortoises circled the Moon and returned alive before Apollo 8

In an extraordinary feat of space exploration, two Central Asian tortoises embarked on a historic journey around the Moon aboard the Soviet Zond 5 spacecraft in September 1968.

Their successful return not only demonstrated the feasibility of life enduring the harsh conditions of space but also catalyzed NASA's preparations for the Apollo 8 mission.

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In 1968, two Soviet tortoises circled the Moon and returned alive before Apollo 8

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