First Soviet Space Dog: Laika and the Early Years of Space Exploration

Laika, a stray dog from Moscow, was the first Soviet space dog to be launched into space on November 3, 1957.

Laika was a small, mixed-breed dog, weighing about 11 pounds, and was chosen for her calm temperament.

Laika's mission was to test the safety and feasibility of space travel for living organisms, specifically dogs.

The Soviet space program, led by Sergei Korolev, was at the forefront of space exploration, and Laika's flight was a crucial step in their efforts.

For another approach, see: Laika Space Dog Breed

Laika was a black-and-white mutt originally named Kudrayavka, or Little Curly. Her later name, Laika, means Barker, which came about when she barked during a radio interview.

Laika was a stray dog from the streets of Moscow, where Soviet rocket scientists collected stray dogs to send to space. They wanted to understand the effects of launch, microgravity, and other aspects of spaceflight on a human body.

Laika weighed about 13 pounds at the time of her flight, according to NASA. The researchers selected the most obedient and those most tolerant of loud noises and air pressure changes to be part of the space program.

Laika's back-up was named Albina (White), who had recently had puppies, and rumors suggest that the Russian spaceflight engineers made Laika their first choice because they were more attached to Albina.

Related reading: Soviet Space Dogs

Laika was a black-and-white mutt originally named Kudrayavka, or Little Curly.

She was later renamed Laika, which means Barker, after she barked during a radio interview.

Laika weighed about 13 pounds at the time of her flight.

Laika was a stray dog from the streets of Moscow, where Soviet rocket scientists collected her and other stray dogs for their spaceflight experiments.

The scientists chose female dogs that were brightly colored and tolerant of loud noises and air pressure changes.

Laika's back-up was named Albina, and rumors suggest that the Russian spaceflight engineers were more attached to Albina, who had recently had puppies.

Laika was selected from a group of dogs that had been subjected to test runs in small capsules, some lasting for weeks.

Laika's crew was known as the "Space Dogs", and a documentary explores Moscow through a stray's eyes, highlighting the story of Laika and her fellow canine space travelers.

A different take: Galaxy Dog Names

Laika's mission was a suicide mission, as Sputnik 2 was not designed to come back to Earth safely.

The Soviet space program didn't want to delay the launch, so Laika was sent into space without a plan for her safe return.

Laika survived the launch, according to Anatoly Zak of RussianSpaceWeb.com, and telemetry data showed that she was alive.

Initially, Soviet publications claimed that Laika died painlessly after a week in Earth orbit, but this account has been questioned over the years.

Laika actually survived in orbit for four days, and then died when the cabin overheated, according to several Russian sources.

The overheating was likely caused by a faulty thermal control system and insulation that tore off during launch.

Laika's batteries died on November 10, 1957, and the spacecraft stopped sending data back to Earth.

Sputnik 2 continued to orbit the Earth until April 14, 1958, when it re-entered the atmosphere after 2,570 orbits.

A different take: Two Dog Names

Laika's mission was a historic one, as she became the first living creature to be launched into space aboard Sputnik 2. The spacecraft was much larger and more elaborate than its predecessor, measuring 13 feet tall and 6.5 feet wide, and weighing 1,120 pounds.

Laika's cabin was equipped with a video camera, an air regeneration system, and padding to keep her comfortable during the flight. She had access to food and water in a gelatinized form, and the early telemetry indicated that she was eating her food.

Laika was placed in the capsule on October 31, 1957, and was kept warm with a heater connected to a hose. Two assistants were assigned to keep a constant watch on her before launch. Just prior to liftoff, Laika's fur was sponged in a weak ethanol solution and carefully groomed, while iodine was painted onto the areas where sensors would be placed to monitor her bodily functions.

The project was rushed to coincide with the anniversary of the Bolshevik revolution, according to an interview with cosmonaut Georgy Grechko. Laika's mission was a one-way ticket to space, as she was not expected to survive the flight.

Here's a brief overview of the spacecraft's specifications:

Laika's mission was a groundbreaking one, paving the way for future space exploration and the use of animals in space research.

The Soviet space program's decision to send Laika, the first Soviet space dog, into space was met with controversy and debate worldwide.

The press initially focused on the political perspective, but as the mission's intentions became clear, the public began to question the ethics of animal testing for scientific advancement.

In the UK, the National Canine Defence League called for a minute's silence to honor Laika, while the RSPCA received protests even before the launch was announced.

Laika's fate sparked a global debate on animal testing, with animal rights groups calling for protests at Soviet embassies and demonstrations outside the United Nations in New York.

In the Soviet Union, however, the decision to send Laika into space was met with less controversy, with many accepting that she would die in space.

It wasn't until after the collapse of the Soviet regime in 1998 that one of the scientists responsible for sending Laika into space, Oleg Gazenko, expressed regret for allowing her to die, saying that they had not learned enough from the mission to justify her death.

Animal Testing Ethics is a topic that's hard to ignore, especially when it comes to Laika's story. The Soviet space program's decision to send a dog into space without a plan for retrieval sparked a global debate on animal testing in 1957.

The press initially focused on the political perspective, but as the news of Laika's death spread, the public began to question the ethics of animal testing. The National Canine Defence League in the UK called for a minute's silence to honor Laika, while the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) received protests.

Laika's fate was a wake-up call for many, and it led to increased scrutiny of animal testing in the years that followed. In the Soviet Union, however, the decision to send Laika into space was met with less controversy, and it wasn't until years later that one of the scientists involved expressed regret for her death.

Oleg Gazenko, one of the scientists responsible for sending Laika into space, later said that they shouldn't have done it, and that they didn't learn enough from the mission to justify Laika's death. His words are a poignant reminder of the importance of considering the ethics of animal testing.

The Cold War was a time of great tension between the United States and the Soviet Union, with each side trying to outdo the other in technological advancements, including space exploration.

The Soviets launched Sputnik 2, a significant spaceflight event that caused widespread concern among Americans about their nation's technological capabilities.

The United States had a failed launch of the Vanguard Test Vehicle 3, which would have been their first satellite, but they bounced back with the successful launch of the Explorer 1 satellite on January 31, 1958.

The Soviet Union notched the milestone of launching the first person to space on April 12, 1961, with Yuri Gagarin's orbital mission.

The failed Vanguard launch was a major embarrassment for the United States, exploding on national TV just seconds after liftoff, but it didn't deter them from continuing their space program.

Laika is still remembered and honored in various ways. A statue and plaque of her can be found at Star City, the Russian Cosmonaut training facility, created in 1997.

Laika is also included in the Monument to the Conquerors of Space in Moscow, constructed in 1964. This monument serves as a testament to her place in history.

Stamps and envelopes featuring Laika were produced, as well as branded cigarettes and matches. These items showcase the impact of Laika's legacy.

Laika's story paved the way for future space missions carrying dogs, which were designed to be recovered.