November 3, 2021
Today in 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 with the first live animal sent into space – a Siberian husky dog, Laika. Biological data, the first data of its kind, was transmitted back to Earth and showed scientists how Laika was adapting to space. The craft was not planned for recovery, and Laika died in orbit.
Laika in a training capsule prior to the launch of Sputnik 2. Credit: Sputnik / Alamy