On November 3, 1957, Laika, a stray dog from the streets of Moscow, became the first living creature to orbit Earth. She was launched aboard the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 2 at the height of the Cold ...

In the late 1950s, Moscow's streets were full of stray dogs that adapted to freezing nights and scarce food. One small mixed‑breed stood out to Soviet researchers for her calm nature and size. She was ...

The story of Laika, the first dog in space, has been shrouded in legend, misinformation, and propaganda since she first reached Earth’s orbit in 1957. This article digs into what really happened to ...

1. A path of burning light -- 2. Animals in the heavens -- 3. The making of a space dog -- 4. Scouting the atmosphere -- 5. A face in the window -- 6. First around the Earth -- Epilogue The ...