From Infobae · · 1m 50s
Laika: First Living Being in Earth Orbit
Soviet dog Laika became the first living creature to orbit Earth in 1957, dying hours after launch.
In brief
Soviet dog Laika became the first living creature to orbit Earth in 1957, dying hours after launch. Soviet dog Laika was the first living being to orbit Earth in 1957, dying hours after launch. Originally reported by Infobae.
Soviet Dog Laika Launched
On November 3, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Laika, a stray dog from Moscow, into orbit aboard Sputnik 2.
Mission Had No Return Plan
The mission did not include a return plan for Laika, who died hours after launch due to overheating.
Cold War Space Race Accelerated
The launch accelerated the Cold War space race, with Soviet leader Nikita Khrushchev capitalizing on the success.
Khrushchev's Urgent Directive
By mid-October, Khrushchev ordered a new launch for the November 7 anniversary of the October Revolution.
Rushed Space Mission Design
Scientists had only weeks to design the spacecraft, leading to incomplete medical preparations.
Serguei Koroliov's Background
Serguei Koroliov, the mission chief, previously designed intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Laika's Selection Criteria
Stray dogs from Moscow were chosen for their tolerance to cramped spaces and physical resilience.
Laika's Training
Laika trained for days to weeks in progressively smaller spaces, with medical evaluations of reactions.
Laika's Death Cause
Laika died between five and seven hours after launch due to overheating in the capsule.
Soviet Authorities' Claim
Soviet authorities claimed Laika survived days and died painlessly from oxygen depletion.
Post-Mission Animal Rights Protests
Animal rights groups protested in London and New York over Laika's conditions.
Later Space Missions Improved
Subsequent missions included return systems, with Belka and Strelka landing safely in August 1960.
Laika's Legacy
Laika became a symbol of Soviet space exploration, appearing on stamps, cigarettes, and a 2008 monument.
The headline
Soviet dog Laika was the first living being to orbit Earth in 1957, dying hours after launch.
