Will the real Superhero please stand up?

OK, so he's not exactly Batman, but this guy has all the makings of a superhero.
He rode into space, clinging for life on the side of the Discovery space shuttle. NASA let him go. And he freaking survived.

"Infrared imagery shows he was alive and not frozen like many would think ... Liftoff imagery analysis confirmed that he held on until at least the vehicle cleared [the] tower before we lost sight of him."

Unfortunately, this tiny astronaut has retired from the mission.

"The animal likely perished quickly during Discovery's climb into orbit."

R.I.P little man.

Story and picture: www.space.com