Sputnik 2 Launched With Laika Aboard on November 3, 1957
Sputnik 2 carried Laika into orbit on November 3, 1957, making her the first animal to orbit Earth.
FlyMarshall Newsroom1 min read
Photo: Roscosmos
Sputnik 2 launched with Laika aboard on November 3, 1957. Laika became the first animal to orbit Earth.
Key details
- Sputnik 2 carried Laika, described as a stray dog from Moscow and a husky-spitz mix about three years old.
- The spacecraft was not designed to return her to Earth.
Why it matters
Laika’s orbital flight marked an early milestone in space exploration and animal spaceflight, preceding Ham’s 1961 test flight to space and return.
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