Space animal experiments are an important component of space-related life science research. Space animal experiments have made an important contribution to the exploration of life and to our understanding of how organisms from Earth adapt to space, while supporting the sustainability of human spaceflight. The Chinese space station has achieved in-orbit operation and will imminently carry out large-scale biological experiments. Here, we review the history of rodent experiments conducted in space by the United States since the 20th century, thereby providing a reference for China’ s future space animal experiments.