Scientist Spares Guinea Pig Trip Into Space

After receiving a letter from PETA and PETA Switzerland urging him to prohibit the use of animals in his experiments, Jean-Patrice Keka—the founder of the Congolese aerospace company Développement Tous Azimuts (DTA)—said that he won’t send a guinea pig named Galaxionaut into space as previously planned but instead will spare him this terrifying trip. Keka added that the capsule for the Troposphere 6 rocket in DTA’s upcoming launch “will be fitted with various sensors which is an alternative method, to achieve the same result without the use of animals.” He also announced “a total ban on the use of animals in DTA’s space experiments.” In recognition of his compassionate and progressive decision, we honored him with a PETA Lifesaver Award.