On November 3rd in science history, a remarkable event took place in 1957. The Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 into Earth's orbit, which carried a very special passenger – a dog named Laika. This was a groundbreaking moment in the history of space exploration, as Laika became the first living creature to orbit the Earth.
Laika, a stray dog from the streets of Moscow, was selected for the mission due to her calm demeanor and small size. She underwent extensive training to prepare for the journey, including being placed in progressively smaller cages to acclimatize her to the confined space of the satellite.
The satellite itself was a cone-shaped capsule with a base diameter of 2 meters and a height of 4 meters. It contained several compartments for radio transmitters, a telemetry system, a programming unit, a regeneration and temperature control system, and scientific instruments. A separate sealed cabin housed Laika, with an oxygen generator and absorbers to remove carbon dioxide. A fan, which was activated whenever the temperature exceeded 15 °C, ventilated the capsule to prevent overheating.
Sputnik 2 was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, and it successfully entered Earth's orbit. Laika survived the launch and, according to telemetry data, was alive and well for several orbits. However, the thermal control system malfunctioned, causing the capsule's temperature to rise to over 40 °C. Tragically, Laika is believed to have died from overheating within hours of the launch.
Although Laika's journey ended tragically, her mission was a significant milestone in the Space Race between the Soviet Union and the United States. It paved the way for future animal and human spaceflights, and helped scientists understand the effects of spaceflight on living organisms.
Laika's story captured the hearts of people around the world, and she became a symbol of the sacrifices made in the name of scientific advancement. Today, several monuments and memorials stand in her honor, recognizing her unwitting but crucial role in the history of space exploration.
This content was created in partnership and with the help of Artificial Intelligence AI
