In November 1957, the Soviet Union launched Laika aboard Sputnik 2, proving that a living being could survive launch and reach orbit. The mission had no reentry plan, and Laika died hours later from overheating and stress, becoming a tragic symbol of the early space race. | SpaceEve

It's 60 years since #Sputnik2 was launched carrying the world's first astronaut, #Laika, a street dog into space! | Indiatimes

9.7K views · 120 reactions | Thankfully Laika is no longer orbiting earth The Sputnik 2 spacecraft carrying Laika re-entered the Earth's atmosphere five months after the launch, on April 14, 1958, and disintegrated. Burning the dog corpse into smithereens. #Space_Aus ️ | Australian Research & Space Exploration - Space Australia | Facebook

1.4K views | More than half a century ago the USSR accelerated the space race with the launch of Sputnik 1. | National Geographic UK | Facebook

Laika became the first living being to orbit Earth in 1957 aboard Sputnik 2. The mission proved that a mammal could survive launch and brief time in microgravity, but the spacecraft was not designed for recovery. Laika died within hours due to overheating, making her flight both a scientific milestone and an enduring ethical controversy. Follow @spaceeves #SpaceHistory #Laika #Sputnik2 #SpaceEve | SpaceEve