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The Tragic Story Of Laika, The Soviet 'Canine Cosmonaut' Who Made Space History In 1957


Published on 2025-01-12 08:42:17 - Forbes
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  • 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, marked a monumental milestone in space exploration, yet it came at a profound cost.

The article by Scott Travers on Forbes discusses the poignant story of Laika, the Soviet space dog who became the first living creature to orbit Earth aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957. Laika, a stray from Moscow, was chosen for her small size and calm demeanor, making her an ideal candidate for the mission. Despite the initial plan to euthanize her with poisoned food after a few days in space, Laika died from overheating and stress within hours of the launch due to a malfunction in the spacecraft's thermal control system. Her journey was a significant milestone in space exploration, highlighting both the Soviet Union's technological prowess and the ethical dilemmas of using animals in space research. The article reflects on the tragic aspects of Laika's mission, her legacy in space history, and the subsequent changes in animal welfare standards in space programs.

Read the Full Forbes Article at:
[ https://www.forbes.com/sites/scotttravers/2025/01/11/the-tragic-story-of-laika-the-soviet-canine-cosmonaut-who-made-space-history-in-1957/ ]