Laika's Journey Beyond the Stars

In November 1957, the Soviet space program achieved an incredible milestone by launching Sputnik 2 into orbit, making it the second artificial satellite placed into Earth's orbit.

Yet few recall the small but valiant cosmonaut who served as its living passenger - a dog named Laika.

A stray found on the streets of Moscow, Laika was selected for her friendly disposition and placed into a rigorous training program.

Through it all, she remained gentle and trusting of her human handlers. Little did she know the mission she was being prepared for - to become the first living being sent into orbit around the Earth.

On November 3rd, 1957, Laika was loaded into Sputnik 2's cramped cabin. Previous Soviet missions had sent dogs on suborbital flights to test spaceflight safety. But this was to be the first ever animal launched into true orbit, where she was to spend her days circling our planet alone. For science, Laika made the ultimate sacrifice - she would not return alive.

After achieving orbit, reports stated Laika was calm and eating as planned. Sadly, little more was known about her condition due to the limited tracking technology of the era.

It was presumed she died several hours into the flight when her cabin overheated. Her remains circled Earth for months, a silent memorial to her bravery.

Though Laika paid the highest price, her journey helped prove that life could survive the stresses of space travel.

She showed tremendous courage as one of the first pioneers to carry humanity's dreams beyond the skies. Despite the mission's sadness, Laika will always be remembered with gratitude for blazing a trail among the stars.