From the streets of Moscow to the stars: Laika, the Soviet space dog, began a journey into space … [+]
On November 3, 1957, the Soviet Union made history by launching the first living creature into Earth orbit: not a human, but a dog. This trip aboard the Soviet spacecraft, Sputnik 2, marked a monumental milestone in space exploration, yet it came at a great cost.
Laika, a stray taken from the streets of Moscow, became a symbol of scientific progress and the ethical complexity of animal testing. Her journey into space, as the scientists who worked with her knew, was only meant to be a one-way trip.
Her story—or, rather, her tragedy—is perhaps one of the greatest reminders of the many sacrifices made in the name of humanity’s quest for knowledge.
Laika was a wanderer with a cosmic destiny
Laika was one of many stray dogs recruited from the streets of Moscow for the space program. Soviet scientists at the time believed that the rover, since they were already used to harsh conditions, would be better suited to the extreme environments of space.
The Soviet Union’s reliance on stray dogs was practical in retrospect—and, in retrospect, highly symbolic. These animals were seen as resilient survivors; they boldly represented the Soviet spirit. Furthermore, they were believed to have a natural adaptability to harsh conditions, as nomads were already well acquainted with extreme cold, heat and hunger.
In this way, Laika and her wandering friends embodied the determination and sacrifice that characterized the era’s space race. However, her choice was due to much more than just being a wanderer. After all, she came to a dog that was able to withstand complete isolation and tremendous stress.
Laika, like her fellow canine candidates, underwent rigorous training to prepare for the unprecedented journey.
The training was, by modern standards, inhumane and grueling. Each of the vagrants was confined to cages, which were progressively replaced with smaller and smaller cages to adapt them to the cramped conditions of the Sputnik 2 spacecraft. This confinement often lasted as long as 20 days, which obviously resulted in tremendous psychological stress and physical distress.
Beyond the spacecraft itself, the dogs also had to prepare for the physical conditions of launch. So, in addition to isolation, the dogs were placed in centrifuges to simulate the intense G-forces they would experience during a rocket launch. In addition, they were exposed to deafening noises designed to replicate the sounds of an exploding spacecraft. These simulations were critical to the dogs’ preparation, but each came at a significant cost to their well-being.
Laika – The ‘little bug’ loved by all
Despite the cruel nature of her training, Laika was adored by the scientists and technicians who worked with her. Her name, which means “Barker” in Russian, was originally si Kudryavka (“The Little Curlew”). The same scientists who sent her on her way were the ones who gave her these endearing nicknames—like “Little Curlew” and “Little Bug”—and many became deeply attached to her.
However, at the same time, these professionals were aware of the fate that awaited them.
She was described as “calm and charming”, a modest dog with a calm demeanor – according to Dr. Vladimir Yazdovsky, one of the Russian doctors part of the Soviet space program, in his novel that describes the intersection of biology and medicine in space travel. . Ironically, these are the beautiful qualities that made him suitable for such a grim mission; Her calm temperament is likely what allowed her to endure the challenges of training better than many of her peers.
The night before her departure, Dr. Yazdovsky reportedly spent extra time with Laika – knowing it would be her last. He describes taking her home to play with his children, which allowed her a brief moment of normalcy and joy. Reflecting, he explained: “I wanted to do something good for him. She had very little time left to live.”
On October 31, 1957, Laika was placed in the satellite capsule; she was carefully adjusted and sensors were placed on various areas of her body to monitor her heart rate and breathing during the journey. Before finally closing the lid of her capsule on November 3, Russian engineer Yevgeniy Shabarov shared in Roads to Space: An Oral History of the Soviet Space Program“We kissed her nose and wished her a safe journey, knowing she wouldn’t survive the flight.
Sputnik II and the immortal legacy of Laika’s sacrifice
Laika’s journey aboard Sputnik 2 was objectively a monumental achievement in space exploration. Launched just one month after the success of Sputnik 1 – the first satellite launched into Earth orbit, in October 1957 – this second mission was designed to study the effects of space travel on a living organism.
However, the spacecraft was built in a hurry and the time frame was tight; they only had four weeks to build it based on some rough sketches. Of course, this competition was driven by the Soviet Union’s desire to demonstrate its technological superiority during the Cold War.
This was the launch of Sputnik 2. The spacecraft carried the dog Laika, the first living creature … [+]
The mission was groundbreaking, but it was also fundamentally flawed. The technology for a safe re-entry did not yet exist, and Soviet officials were well aware of the fact that Laika’s mission would end with her death. Therefore, they provided Laika with only one week of food and life support technology, according to reports from NASA. Initially, however, reports from Soviet sources claimed that Laika survived for several days in orbit.
Decades later, in 2002, the truth was revealed in Second World Space Congress– that is, Laika was destroyed within hours of launch. Due to possible overheating and stress, she is said to have died of hyperthermia during Sputnik 2’s fourth Earth orbit. The spacecraft’s thermal control system failed, causing the cabin temperature to rise to fatal levels—just as it they knew.
Laika’s death was tragic and avoidable. The rushed timeline and technical shortcomings of the mission highlight the many ethical compromises we, as humans, have made in the name of progress. However, despite her short time in orbit, Laika’s sacrifice nevertheless provided invaluable data on the physiological effects of space travel.
Overall, its mission provided critical insights into how living organisms respond to the conditions of space, according to a study by Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Her journey showed that it was indeed possible for a living being to survive launch and zero gravity – at least temporarily. These findings were instrumental in advancing space exploration, which eventually led to Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight as the first man in space in 1961.
Overall, the data collected by the Laika mission helped scientists understand the impact of microgravity (weightlessness) on the cardiovascular system, respiratory functions and stress responses. This knowledge was essential to the design of life support systems and protocols for human astronauts. In many ways, Laika’s sacrifice laid the foundation for the successes of many space programs that followed.
The Ethics of Animal Testing
Laika’s story invites reflection on the ethics of animal testing. Her death sparked massive outrage and debate around the world, with animal welfare groups condemning the use of live creatures – particularly in experiments that offered no chance of survival. While her story inspired awe and admiration, it also reflects the sharp moral dilemmas inherent in our use of animals for the sake of scientific progress.
In the decades since her mission, advances in technology have reduced the need for such sacrifices. Simulations, robotics, and other innovations now allow scientists to conduct experiments without relying on living subjects. These advances are a testament to how far we’ve come, but they also remind us of the cost of our previous achievements.
However, Laika’s legacy lives on. She is fondly remembered in many ways – for her contributions to science, but also as a symbol of the ethical challenges that come with exploration and discovery. Various monuments, memorials and works of art around the world honor him. Most notably, she has a statue in Moscow depicting her standing on a rocket.
Does Laika’s story sadden you more than inspire you? Take this science-backed test and discover the extent of your attitudes toward animals: Animal Attitude Scale
