Sputnik 2In 1957, Sputnik 2 was launched, with the first live animal sent into space - a Siberian husky dog, Laika (“barker” in Russian). By design, the craft was not planned for recovery, and Laika died in orbit. Biological data, the first data of its kind, was transmitted back to Earth while she lived. The data showed scientists how Laika was adapting to space - information important to the imminent planned manned missions. The 508-kg satellite remained in orbit 162 days. Laika was considered a hero in the Soviet Union. The first human to pilot a spacecraft, Yuri Gagarin, followed on 12 Apr 1961, aboard Vostok 1.« |