In this short video I share a moment from history that happened on 3 November 1957, when the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 with Laika, the first animal to reach space. I briefly explain who Laika ...

On November 3, 1957, a Soviet space dog named Laika became the first animal to orbit Earth. Laika was a 3-year-old stray husky-spitz mix from the streets of Moscow, and she was recruited by the Soviet ...

In the late 1950s, Moscow’s streets were full of stray dogs that adapted to freezing nights and scarce food. One small mixed‑breed stood out to Soviet researchers for her calm nature and size. She was ...

1. A path of burning light -- 2. Animals in the heavens -- 3. The making of a space dog -- 4. Scouting the atmosphere -- 5. A face in the window -- 6. First around the Earth -- Epilogue The ...

NASM copy purchased with funds from the S. Dillon Ripley Endowment. "This fascinating book tells the story of the soviet space dogs, illustrated with legendary photographer Martin Parr's vintage space ...

Less than a month after the launch of Sputnik 1, the Soviets launched Sputnik 2. The mission was readied quickly in order to keep the propaganda momentum from Sputnik 1 and to coincide with the 40th ...