How many dogs were sent into space by the USSR? - briefly
The Soviet Union launched a total of 14 dogs into space during their space program from 1951 to 1960. Notably, Laika was the first dog to orbit Earth in 1957, marking a significant milestone in space exploration.
How many dogs were sent into space by the USSR? - in detail
The Soviet Union's space program, particularly in its early stages, heavily relied on canine astronauts for experiments and preliminary research. Dogs were chosen due to their physiological similarities to humans and their ability to withstand extreme conditions. The exact number of dogs sent into space by the USSR is not definitively known, but estimates suggest that at least 14 dogs participated in suborbital or orbital flights between 1951 and 1960.
The first successful flight involving a dog was on July 22, 1951, with Dezik and Tsygan aboard the R-I missile, which reached an altitude of 110 kilometers. This mission marked the beginning of a series of flights that would pave the way for human space exploration.
In 1957, Laika became the most famous canine astronaut when she was launched into orbit aboard Sputnik 2 on November 3. Unfortunately, Laika did not survive the mission due to overheating in the spacecraft. However, her flight provided valuable data that contributed significantly to human spaceflight research.
Another notable mission was on August 19, 1960, when Belka and Strelka were launched into orbit aboard Korabl-Sputnik 2 (also known as Sputnik 5). They successfully completed a day in orbit and returned to Earth safely, becoming the first living beings to survive spaceflight.
In addition to these well-known missions, there were other dogs that participated in suborbital flights, including Smelaya (Brave), Malyshka (Little Girl), Damka (Lady), Krasavka (Beauty), and others whose names are less frequently recorded in history.
The Soviet space program's use of dogs was essential for understanding the physiological effects of spaceflight on living organisms. The data collected from these missions laid the groundwork for subsequent human spaceflights, culminating in Yuri Gagarin's historic orbit around Earth in 1961.
In conclusion, while the exact number of dogs sent into space by the USSR is uncertain, it is clear that their contributions were vital in advancing our understanding of space travel and paving the way for human exploration of the cosmos.