Before anyone knew the dangers of flying into outer space, scientists decided to send animals up as test subjects first. While the Russians sent dogs and the Americans sent monkeys, the French decided to get in on the act and send a cat into space.
Originally, French scientists avoided giving the cat a name to keep people from getting attached to it, but when the press asked about the cat, they quickly decided on the name of Felix. When they discovered the cat was a girl, they changed her name to Félicette. So Félicette holds the honor of being the first cat in space.