Laika (/ ˈ l aɪ k ə / LY-kə; Russian: Лайка, IPA:; c. 1954 – 3 November 1957) was a Soviet space dog who was one of the first animals in space and the first to orbit the Earth. A stray mongrel from the streets of Moscow, she flew aboard the Sputnik 2 spacecraft, launched into low orbit on 3 November 1957.

The Soviet space program typically used female dogs due to their anatomical compatibility with the spacesuit. [1] Similarly, they used mix-breed dogs due to their apparent hardiness. In this period, the Soviet Union launched missions with passenger slots for at least 57 dogs.

Apr 11, 2018 · According to Animals In Space by Colin Burgess and Chris Dubbs, the Soviet Union launched dogs into flight 71 times between 1951 and 1966, with 17 deaths. The Russian space program...

Laika, a dog that was the first living creature to be launched into Earth orbit, on board the Soviet artificial satellite Sputnik 2, on November 3, 1957. It was always understood that Laika would not survive the mission, but her actual fate was misrepresented for decades.

Jan 14, 2022 · Laika, a Moscow street dog, became the first creature to orbit Earth, but she died in space.

Jan 11, 2025 · On November 3rd, 1957, the Soviet Union made history by launching the first living creature into Earth’s orbit: not a human, but a dog. This journey aboard the Soviet spacecraft, Sputnik 2 ...

Nov 12, 2024 · The Soviet Union space dog died afraid and alone, 940km from Earth Ellie Kemp The first animal to orbit the Earth had a bittersweet final moment on land before essentially being blasted off to her death.

6 days ago · Laika, a stray dog from the streets of Moscow, was in fact, the first living creature to orbit the Earth, who was launched aboard the Soviet satellite Sputnik 2 on November 3, 1957. She was ...

3 days ago · Laika’s journey to the stars began in an unexpected place—the bustling streets of Moscow. As a stray, she was accustomed to the harshness of city life, making her an ideal candidate for the rigors of space travel. The Soviet space program sought a small, resilient dog that could endure extreme conditions, and Laika fit the bill perfectly.

Mar 13, 2025 · Forty-five years after the launch of Sputnik 2, Russian scientists finally revealed that Laika did not survive for a week in space. According to the sensors that were attached to Laika’s body, she died just a few hours after the launch.