The first astronauts to enter a polar orbit chose the obvious animal to serve as their zero-g indicator: a plush polar bear.

A sneak peak of a new episode of National Geographic's Incredible Animal Journeys shows two polar bear cubs exploring the outdoors for the first time Kelli Bender is the Pets Editor at PEOPLE.

The first astronauts to enter a polar orbit around Earth chose the obvious animal to serve as their zero-g indicator — a plush white *polar* bear ... choice to bring a small doll with him ...