# Laika: The Heartbreaking Tale of the First Space Dog
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In 1957, a stray dog from Moscow's streets embarked on a historic mission to space. Following her death, she received honors for bravery, equivalent to those awarded to Yuri Gagarin, the first human in space, in 1961. A monument dedicated to her memory can be found in the Memorial Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow.
During the 1950s, Soviet scientists attempted to prepare purebred dogs for space travel, making between 15 and 30 attempts. Unfortunately, none succeeded in the rigorous tests simulating rocket launch conditions.
The researchers then decided to try crossbreeds. They believed these mixed-breed dogs could endure the harsh conditions of space, particularly due to the challenges they faced in the bitter Moscow winter and food scarcity.
Interestingly, mongrels proved to be braver and more resilient than breeds like German shepherds, huskies, and Labradors. They adapted well to a high-nutrient gel diet and did not suffer heart attacks during testing. Moreover, they were easier to train compared to the monkeys that Americans were experimenting with at that time.
Ultimately, the scientists selected three mongrels: Albina, Mushka, and Laika. As training progressed, Albina and Mushka emerged as favorites. However, both were soon dismissed after their pulse rates soared during launch simulations, indicating they would not withstand the stress of space travel.
A New Hope
Just weeks before the launch, a stray dog facing euthanasia was discovered in a shelter. Initially skeptical, General Oleg Gazenko of the Soviet Air Force soon realized her potential as a military dog. While her exact breed was uncertain, she was estimated to be two or three years old and likely had terrier ancestry. Despite her feisty nature, she had a gentle demeanor and many scars, earning her admiration from the scientists.
Throughout her time at the Baikonur spaceport, the dog had several names: Kudryavka ("Little Curly"), Zhuchka ("Little Bug"), and Limonchik ("Little Lemon"). According to legend, she was ultimately named Laika ("Barker") after barking at President Nikita Khrushchev during his visit. Officially, she barked at everyone except those who spent the most time with her, Gazenko and doctor Vladimir Yazdovsky.
The scientists were aware that Laika would not return from the mission, as her capsule was not designed for a safe return. It was anticipated she would perish within seven days, potentially due to food poisoning.
When news of the impending launch reached the UK, public outcry ensued. The Daily Mail published an article about the doomed dog, igniting daily protests, including calls to the Russian Embassy and demonstrations outside the UN in New York.
The Soviet response was dismissive, asserting their love for dogs and claiming the mission was for the greater good of humanity.
A Different Outcome Was Possible
Had there been more time, the Soviet Union might have spared Laika's life. The original plan involved safely returning her home, but President Khrushchev insisted on launching her mission on the 40th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution. This urgency forced scientists to accelerate their timeline, leaving no time to prepare for her return.
With just four weeks until launch, the team managed to construct the spacecraft but could not equip it for her safe return. Laika was confined to a small cage, only slightly larger than a washing machine, where she was restrained and unable to move freely. This confinement was so severe that the dogs could not relieve themselves despite being given laxatives, leading to a loss of their sense of freedom.
As the launch approached, Dr. Yazdovsky, who had discovered Laika, decided to take her home for one last day of love and comfort. He wanted to give her a semblance of joy before her tragic fate.
On the night before the launch, Laika was placed in the capsule to acclimate to the environment, and the team did their best to keep her warm.
The Final Moments
On November 3, 1957, the team prepared Laika for her flight, cleaning her fur and attaching sensors to monitor her vital signs. Yazdovsky later noted that Laika seemed to sense her fate but did not resist.
As they said their goodbyes, they knew she would not survive the journey. Soon, Sputnik 2 launched into the sky, and while the public narrative suggested that Laika thrived during the flight, the reality was far more distressing.
During the launch, Laika experienced severe panic, her heart racing at 240 beats per minute as she was trapped in a vibrating metal capsule, bewildered by her surroundings. After three hours of flight, her heartbeat slowed, indicating she was starting to calm down.
She managed to eat and even relieved herself, proving that living beings could survive in space, marking a significant milestone in human exploration.
The Truth About Laika's Death
For years, the Soviet Union claimed that Laika had survived for several days before dying peacefully. However, many speculated that her death was agonizing, with theories suggesting she succumbed to hunger or stress-related heart failure.
In 2002, scientist Dimitri Malashenko revealed the truth: Laika died within seven hours, during her fourth orbit, due to a malfunctioning temperature control system that caused the capsule's temperature to rise to unbearable levels. Despite her panic, Laika attempted to eat before succumbing to the extreme conditions.
Initially, technicians assumed the telemetry had failed, but soon realized the grim truth: Laika was no longer alive. She became a tragic hero of the USSR.
Return to Earth
After completing 2,570 orbits, Sputnik 2 fell back to Earth, shocking many. A blue-white object streaked across the sky, then exploded into smaller fragments upon reentry. Laika's remains returned to Earth, bringing her journey to a close.
Despite the tragedy of Laika's mission, it did not end animal space exploration. The Soviet Union sent around 57 dogs into space throughout the late 1950s and 1960s, with many returning safely