SPACE TECH
On This Day in Space: Laika and the Historic Launch of Sputnik 2
Launched on November 3, 1957, Laika the stray dog became the first living animal to orbit Earth aboard the Soviet Sputnik 2 spacecraft.
Marking one of space exploration's most poignant milestones, November 3, 1957, saw the launch of Sputnik 2 carrying Laika, a 3-year-old stray husky-spitz mix from Moscow recruited by the Soviet space program for her calm temperament and small size.
Laika successfully became the first animal to orbit Earth. However, the mission was a one-way trip as return technology had not yet been developed. Due to a compromised heat shield, she overheated shortly after reaching orbit. Her historic flight provided vital early data that paved the way for human spaceflight, leaving an enduring legacy in aerospace history.