Laika: The street dog who made space history  

After being sent into space aboard Sputnik 2 by the Soviet Union during the Space Race, she became a major historical figure in space exploration.

The three-year-old mongrel was chosen because she was tough and used to harsh conditions as a stray dog and scientists believed such dogs could handle the challenges of space better.

Laika was trained to eat special food and survive the tight space of the spacecraft. She was also prepared for the physical effects of space travel.

Future Manned Spacecraft Center Director Robert Gilruth told historians, “When I saw the dog go up, I said, ‘My God, we better get going because it’s going to be a legitimate program to put man in space.’”

Although the mission aimed to study the impact of space travel on living beings, she was unable to return to Earth safely because of the non-existence of technology at the time. According to NASA, engineers hadn't made provisions to recover Laika.

NASA reports that she died within hours from heat and stress after reaching orbit.

Scientists reported that the satellite's batteries expired on November 10 and receipt of data from the science experiments also ceased.

Laika’s flight was part of the Soviet Union's effort to lead in the Space Race. The launch came soon after Sputnik 1 and was timed to mark the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution. Her journey was watched by the world and proved that living beings could survive in space.

Her death sparked debates about the ethics of using animals in experiments. Critics argued it was cruel, but the mission provided important data for future human spaceflights. Laika's sacrifice became a symbol of the risks and unknowns of early space exploration.

Over the years, other animals have also contributed to space research. Dogs, monkeys, and even fruit flies have helped scientists understand how space affects living beings. Their efforts paved the way for humans to travel into space.

Laika’s story remains a powerful reminder of the triumphs and sacrifices of early space missions. Today, she is remembered as a hero who played a key role in shaping the future of space exploration.