Irina: The Vampire Cosmonaut

The Federal Republic of Zirnitra accomplished the historic feat of transporting the first living animal—a dog—to outer space on November 23, 1957, and the entire world observed it. Since then, the confederacy and its rival, the United Kingdom of Arnack, have stepped up their space race in an effort to one day transport people to the planets above. There is no way to completely determine the risks associated with space flight and its impact on a person's body without actually sending someone for observation because a dog's biology and anatomy are fundamentally different from those of humans. The government of Zirnitra has a potential remedy, though—experimenting on vampires, whose biological resemblance to humans is too great to be ignored. Irina Luminesk, a vampire, exhibits no resistance despite being forcibly removed from her mountain home and is even eager to train as a test subject. Irina will be accompanied by Lev Leps, a previous front-runner for the position of first human cosmonaut, who will serve as her guide. Irina and Lev become closer as they spend more time together as they grow to share a love of space.