First animal in space! Brave stray dog whose 1957 space mission made history and never returned

Sixty-eight years ago, on November 3, 1957, a historic event unfolded when Laika, a small stray dog from Moscow, became the first living creature to orbit Earth aboard the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 2, a hastily constructed but ambitious mission launched under immense political pressure and secrecy. Her mission marked a groundbreaking milestone in space exploration during the tense era of the Cold War, showcasing the Soviet Union’s technological prowess and sparking intense global fascination, debate, and discussion about ethics in science and animal welfare. Chosen for her calm temperament and remarkable resilience, Laika’s courageous journey captured the world’s imagination but ended tragically, as she never returned to Earth.Although she died within hours of the launch due to overheating, extreme stress, and harsh conditions, her sacrifice provided scientists with vital data that paved the way for future human space missions, helping to improve life-support systems, spacecraft design, biomedical research in zero gravity, and astronaut training, ensuring safer journeys for astronauts on increasingly ambitious missions. Laika’s enduring legacy continues to inspire generations, forever securing her place in the history of space exploration and symbolising humanity’s relentless pursuit of knowledge and discovery beyond our planet, while reminding the world of the ethical responsibilities tied to scientific progress.Laika was a mixed-breed stray discovered on the streets of Moscow. Chosen for her calm nature and ability to endure harsh environments, she was one of several dogs trained for early Soviet space missions. During this period, the Soviet Union and the United States were locked in an intense space race, each seeking to demonstrate technological superiority. Following the success of Sputnik 1, Soviet scientists sought to send a living being into orbit, a mission that would test life’s endurance beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Laika underwent rigorous physical and psychological testing, including confinement in small capsules and exposure to high accelerations, to prepare her body for the extreme conditions of space travel.However, while Sputnik 2 could carry a living passenger, it lacked the technology for a safe return. This meant that Laika’s mission was always intended to be a one-way journey. On November 3, 1957, Laika was launched into space aboard Sputnik 2. The mission aimed to gather essential data on how living organisms respond to space conditions such as microgravity, radiation, and confinement. At the time, Soviet media reported that Laika had survived for several days, eating and breathing normally in orbit.Years later, however, documents revealed a tragic truth. Laika had died within hours of launch due to overheating and extreme stress inside the confined spacecraft cabin. The spacecraft’s thermal control system failed, causing cabin temperatures to rise far beyond survivable levels. Despite this heartbreaking outcome, her mission provided scientists with valuable data that ultimately contributed to the success of future human spaceflight missions.Laika’s mission represented a pivotal moment in the exploration of life beyond Earth. Despite the tragic outcome, the data collected from Sputnik 2 provided scientists with essential insights into how living organisms respond to the physical, environmental, and psychological challenges of space travel, including stress, weightlessness, and radiation exposure. This crucial knowledge directly informed the planning and execution of subsequent missions, laying the groundwork for safely sending humans into orbit and ultimately to the Moon.In many ways, Laika’s sacrifice became the foundation upon which future space exploration was built. Without her journey, humanity’s first steps beyond Earth might have taken much longer to achieve. Today, Laika remains an enduring symbol of bravery and sacrifice. Her story continues to spark debate about the ethical implications of using animals in scientific research. While some view her mission as a necessary step in humankind’s journey to the stars, others see it as a tragic example of science prioritising achievement over compassion.In 2008, Russia honoured Laika with a monument near Moscow’s military research facility, depicting her standing proudly atop a rocket, a tribute to her courage and her role in space history. The memorial serves as a reminder that every great leap forward in science often comes with moral questions that cannot be ignored. More than six decades after her mission, Laika’s name remains etched in the history of space exploration. She represents the countless animals and humans who have risked and sometimes lost their lives in the pursuit of knowledge.Also Read | US President Donald Trump re-nominates Jared Isaacman as NASA chief to strengthen partnerships and space economy