Laika’s Space Mission

It was on November 3 of 1957. A spacecraft from great plains of Kazakh Soviet Republic departed the earth. Sputnik 2 was the name of the craft and second of its kind ever to obit the earth. Unlike the first one, this time, this 4 meters tall high cone-shaped capsule contained a little passenger in it.

Laika, a stray dog which once roamed the streets of Soviet’s capital, was preparing for a trip of her life. Her utmost calmness, adaptability to extreme weather of Moscow roads, and frequent hungers that she’s used to, qualified her as the dog of choice.

Born somewhere on earth and that too as a stray dog, but still remembered as a hero of Soviet Union didn’t come without a price. The mission was one way trip but of greatest scientific importance. The advancement of men into space was yet to be followed after her. In an age, space is not well known to human, this daring dog and her calmness amazed the scientists. Talking about Laika, one spacecraft engineer who was in that final minutes before her journey recalled how calm she was though a tense situation like such should’ve made anyone or any dog worried.

Soon the spacecraft left the earth. The power of burning fuel pushes the surface in a race to go to outer space. Below her, was the land she once lived, loved and roamed around. The higher it went the less gravity she felt. The spacecraft she were in finally entered the orbit the same day. It went on to orbiting the earth for three times successfully. With this success, she registered her name in the work of history as the first animal ever to orbit the earth. Meanwhile, on the fourth time, due to failure of temperature control system, she attained martyrdom up in the space.

Her sacrifice to the advancement of mankind was immense and unparalleled. Soviet Union later went on to commemorating this loyal friend of working class with several statues and honors.

She was included in the honorable glorious, Monument of Conqueror of the Space, built in 1967! Soviet government released stamps and posters honoring her afterwards. To this day, she’s remembered as one of our Soviet Heroes and pioneer of space by all the comrades alike!

On this eve of great importance, let us all give our heart-felt red salute to this true hero of us!

Rest In Glory, comrade Laika!