Many animals have been sent into space for science experiments in orbit, believe it or not the first creature into space was fruit flies!!! they where sent to the edge of space by Germany V-2 rockets in 1946 to study the effects of high altitude radiation.
the first monkeys sent into space where called Albert 1 and Albert 2! but they died in 1940 in the top bit of the V-2 rocket during U.S launch tests! 😦
you can llearn more about them in this link.(below)
Zak Science 