First Mammal in Orbit: Laika the Dog

The launch of Sputnik 2 marked a pivotal moment in space exploration, as it carried Laika, a stray dog from Moscow, into orbit. This mission was a follow-up to the successful launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite, which had already demonstrated the feasibility of sending objects into space. Laika's journey was significant not only because she was the first mammal to orbit Earth, but also because it provided valuable data on the biological effects of space travel on living organisms. The mission aimed to gather information on the physiological and psychological impacts of spaceflight, which were crucial for future human space missions. Laika's presence in orbit lasted several hours, during which various measurements were taken, contributing to the understanding of how living beings respond to the conditions of space, including weightlessness and cosmic radiation.