On November 3rd, 1957, the Soviet Union made history by launching the first living creature into Earth’s orbit: not a human, but a dog. This journey aboard the Soviet spacecraft, Sputnik 2, marked a monumental milestone in space exploration, yet it came at a profound cost.
Laika, a stray plucked from the streets of Moscow, became a symbol of both scientific progress and the ethical complexities of animal testing. Her voyage to space, as the scientists who worked with her knew, was only ever 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 Stray With A Cosmic Destiny
Laika was but one of many stray dogs recruited from Moscow’s streets for the space program. Soviet scientists at the time believed that strays, given that they were already accustomed 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 hindsight, incredibly symbolic. These animals were viewed as resilient survivors; they boldly represented the Soviet spirit. Moreover, they were believed to have a natural adaptability to harsh conditions, as strays were already well-acquainted with extreme cold, heat and hunger.
In this way, Laika and her stray comrades embodied the determination and sacrifice that characterized the era’s space race. However, her selection was due to far more than her just being a stray. Ultimately, it came down to a dog who was capable of enduring complete isolation and immense stress.
Laika, as well as 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 strays were confined to cages, which were progressively swapped out for smaller and smaller cages to acclimate them to the cramped conditions of the Sputnik 2 spacecraft. This confinement often lasted up to 20 days, which undoubtedly resulted in immense psychological stress and physical discomfort.
Beyond the spacecraft itself, the dogs also needed to be prepared for the physical conditions of the launch. Thus, in addition to confinement, the dogs were placed in centrifuges to simulate the intense G-forces one would experience during a rocket launch. Additionally, they were exposed to deafening noises designed to replicate the sounds of a spacecraft blasting off. These simulations were critical for preparing the dogs, but each came at a significant cost to their well-being.
Laika—The ‘Little Bug’ Beloved By All
Despite the cruel nature of her training, Laika was adored by the scientists and technicians who worked with her. Her name, meaning “Barker” in Russian, was initially as Kudryavka (“Little Curly”). The same scientists who sent her on her way were the ones to give her these affectionate nicknames—like “Little Curly” and “Little Bug”—and many grew deeply attached to her.
Yet, simultaneously, these professionals were acutely aware of the fate that awaited her.
She was described as “quiet and charming,” an unassuming dog with a calm demeanor—according to Dr. Vladimir Yazdovsky, one of the Russian physicians part of the Soviet space program, in his novel outlining the intersection of biology and medicine in space travel. Ironically, these are the lovely qualities that made her fit 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 launch, Dr. Yazdovsky reportedly spent extra time with Laika—as he knew 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 nice for her. She had so little time left to live.”
On October 31st, 1957, Laika was placed in the satellite capsule; she was groomed carefully, and sensors were placed on various areas of her body to monitor her heart-rate and breathing during the trip. Before finally closing the hatch of her capsule on November 3rd, Russian engineer Yevgeniy Shabarov shared in Roads to Space: An Oral History of the Soviet Space Program, “We kissed her nose and wished her bon voyage, knowing that she would not survive the flight.”
Sputnik II And The Undying Legacy Of Laika’s Sacrifice
Laika’s voyage aboard Sputnik 2 was objectively a monumental achievement in space exploration. Launched just a month after the success of Sputnik 1—the first satellite launched into Earth’s orbit, in October of 1957—this second mission was designed to study the effects of space travel on a living organism.
However, the spacecraft was hastily constructed, and the timeline was tight; they had only four weeks to build it based on a few rough sketches. Naturally, this race was driven by the Soviet Union’s desire to demonstrate its technological superiority during the Cold War.
The mission was groundbreaking, but it was also inherently 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 in her death. Hence, they only provided Laika with a week’s worth 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 at The Second World Space Congress—that is, Laika perished within hours of launching. Due to overheating, and likely stress, she is said to have died of hyperthermia during Sputnik 2’s fourth orbit of Earth. The spacecraft’s thermal control system failed, which caused the cabin temperature to rise to fatal levels—exactly as they knew it would.
Laika’s death was both tragic and avoidable. The rushed timeline and technical shortcomings of the mission emphasizes the many ethical compromises that we, as humans, have made in the name of progress. Yet, despite her short time in orbit, Laika’s sacrifice nevertheless provided invaluable data on the physiological effects of space travel.
Overall, her mission yielded critical insights into how living organisms respond to the conditions of space, according to research from Herald of the Russian Academy of Sciences. Her voyage demonstrated that, indeed, it was possible for a living being to survive launch and zero-gravity—at least temporarily. These findings were instrumental in advancing space exploration, which ultimately led to Yuri Gagarin’s historic flight as the first human in space, in 1961.
In all, the data collected from Laika’s mission aided scientists’ understanding of the impact of microgravity (weightlessness) on the cardiovascular system, respiratory functions and stress responses. This knowledge was crucial for designing life-support systems and protocols for human astronauts. In many ways, Laika’s sacrifice laid the groundwork for the successes of the many space programs that followed.
The Ethics Of Animal Testing
Laika’s story invites reflection on the ethics of animal testing. Her death sparked mass outrage and debate around the world, with animal welfare groups condemning the use of living creatures—especially in experiments that offered no possibility of survival. While her story inspired awe and admiration, it also reflects the astute 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 advancements are a testament to how far we have come, but they also remind us of the cost of our earlier achievements.
Yet, Laika’s legacy endures. She is remembered fondly 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 artworks around the world honor her. Most aptly, she has a statue in Moscow, depicting her standing atop a rocket.
Does Laika’s story sadden you more than it inspires you? Take this science-backed test, and discover the extent of your attitudes towards animals: Animal Attitude Scale
