Romania #1201 (1957) – Sputnik 2 & Laika

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Romania #1201 (1957) – Sputnik 2 & Laika

More about Sputnik and Laika can be found here:
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Sputnik 2 was a historic spacecraft launched by the Soviet Union on November 3, 1957. It is most famous for carrying Laika, a dog, into space, making her the first living creature to orbit the Earth. Here’s more information about Sputnik 2 and Laika:

1. Sputnik 2: Sputnik 2 was the second artificial satellite to be launched into orbit, following the groundbreaking launch of Sputnik 1 a month earlier. Unlike its predecessor, Sputnik 2 was not a simple metal sphere with a radio transmitter; it was a more complex spacecraft. The primary purpose of Sputnik 2 was to gather data on the behavior of a living organism in space.
2. Laika: Laika was a mixed-breed dog, often described as a terrier, who was selected as the occupant of Sputnik 2. She was a stray dog found on the streets of Moscow, chosen because of her small size and calm temperament. Laika was a pioneer in space exploration, becoming the first animal to orbit the Earth. Her mission was significant not only for advancing the understanding of space travel but also as a symbol of Soviet space achievements.
3. Laika’s Fate: Unfortunately, Laika’s mission was one-way, as there were no plans or technology in place at the time to safely return living beings from space. The spacecraft did not have the means to safely bring Laika back to Earth, and she tragically perished in orbit due to overheating and stress within a few hours of the launch. This aspect of the mission has been widely criticized and sparked discussions about animal welfare in space exploration.

Sputnik 2 was a key milestone in the early days of space exploration and was a demonstration of the Soviet Union’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of human and animal space travel. It contributed to the development of the space program and the eventual human spaceflight missions that would follow. Laika’s sacrifice is remembered as a poignant moment in the history of space exploration, and she has become a symbol of the pioneers who ventured into the unknown for the advancement of science and technology.