
Whether you think that humanity failed the first animal to orbit the Earth and abused that animal in the furtherance of humankind’s knowledge of space travel or whether you believe the exploitation of this dog was entirely justifiable depends on your attitude to animal welfare. Dominic Dyer is a well-known animal advocate and it is clear from his X post that Laika was abused. The same applies to me.
This female, calm street dog was launched into space 67 years ago. Her story highlights all examples of animal exploitation of which there are millions upon millions since her death probably hours into the flight as the temperature control in the capsule failed. What did they learn from that!? That they couldn’t screw the spacecraft together with enough precision? They did not need to kill a dog for that. They could have monitored it from the control centre on the ground.
Laika, often referred to as the “Little Barker,” was a Soviet space dog who became the first animal to orbit Earth. Launched aboard Sputnik 2 on November 3, 1957, Laika’s journey marked a major milestone in space exploration, paving the way for human spaceflight. Unfortunately, Laika did not survive her mission, making her story both groundbreaking and tragic.
Here are some key details about Laika’s mission and legacy:
1. Laika’s Background
- Name Meaning: “Laika” means “Barker” in Russian, a nod to her breed and tendency to bark. She was a stray dog found wandering the streets of Moscow.
- Breed: She was a small, mixed-breed dog, part terrier and possibly part Siberian Husky, chosen for her calm temperament and small size.
- Selection: Laika was chosen for the mission because Soviet scientists believed that stray dogs would be more resilient to the harsh conditions of space. She, along with two other dogs, underwent rigorous training.
2. Sputnik 2 Mission
- Objective: The mission’s goal was to test the survivability of living organisms in space and to learn more about the effects of space travel on the human body, as part of the Soviet Union’s early space race efforts.
- Launch: On November 3, 1957, Laika was launched into orbit aboard Sputnik 2. The spacecraft was hastily designed, and there were no plans to bring her back alive.
- Life Support: The spacecraft had limited life support systems, including oxygen and a basic temperature control unit, but it wasn’t equipped for a safe return. It was known that Laika would not survive the mission.
3. Laika’s Death
- Initially, Soviet officials claimed that Laika had survived in orbit for a few days before dying peacefully due to a lack of oxygen. However, in 2002, it was revealed that Laika had actually died a few hours after launch, likely from overheating caused by a malfunction in the thermal control system.
4. Legacy
- Scientific Contribution: Laika’s flight provided crucial data about the effects of space travel on living organisms, helping scientists prepare for human space exploration.
- Symbolism: Laika became a symbol of the sacrifices made during the space race. Her story is often remembered with a sense of sadness and controversy, as it highlighted the ethical concerns about the treatment of animals in scientific research.
- Memorials: Laika is remembered with monuments and plaques, including a prominent monument in Moscow that honors her as a pioneer of space exploration. Her contribution to science, though tragic, is widely acknowledged.
Laika’s mission, though short-lived, was a defining moment in space history. Her story remains a poignant reminder of the costs associated with the push for progress in science.
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