DOG LAIKA

1. Context

On 3, Nov 1957 the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 and made history for carrying the first ever living creature that orbited the Earth, a dog named Laika.65 years after, of path-breaking space flight.

2. Why was Laika chosen?

Laika was a stray dog picked up from the streets of Moscow just a week before the launch of Sputnik. According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) of the US, Laika was originally named Kudryavka(Little Curly). She was later renamed Laika, Russia, for" Husky " or" Barker".

The dog was promoted to cosmonaut based on her "small size and calm demeanour".The mission wanted female dogs, considered anatomically better suited for close confinement. The dogs also needed to be obedient, have a bright coat so their video footage would be more precise, and tolerate loud noises and air pressure changes relatively easily.

3.Animals to space

American and Russian scientists utilized animals – mainly monkeys, chimps, and dogs - to test each country's ability to launch a living organism into space and bring it back alive and unharmed.

4.The first animal in Space

Some fruitflies the US launched on a mission in February 1947

The Soviet Union launched two canines named Dezik and Tsygan in 1951. However, the dogs before Laika were used only during sub-orbital launches.

For the Sputnik mission, the soviets chose a dog over a monkey "because they felt they would be less fidgety in flight.

5.Sputnik 2 Mission

Sputnik 1 launched on October 4, 1957, was a beach ball size sphere that just emitted beeps as it circled Earth.

A month later, Sputnik 2 was launched. The engineers planned it fast after Nikita Khrushchev requested a flight to coincide with 40 the anniversary of Russia‘s Bolshevik Revolution.

6.Laika’s Journey

Laika was placed inside a pressurized cabin, which allowed her room to lie down or stand. An air regeneration system provided oxygen, food, and water in a gelatinized form".

Laika was fitted with a harness, a bag to collect waste, and electrodes to monitor vital signs.