What happened to the dog that didn't return from space? - briefly
The dog that did not return from space was Laika, who was launched aboard Sputnik 2 in 1957. She died within hours of launch due to overheating and stress.
What happened to the dog that didn't return from space? - in detail
The story of Laika, the first animal to orbit Earth, is both historic and poignant. Laika was a stray mongrel picked up off the streets of Moscow in the late 1950s. She was selected for the Soviet space program due to her calm demeanor and ability to withstand stressful conditions. In November 1957, Laika was launched into orbit aboard Sputnik 2, making history as the first living creature to do so.
The primary goal of this mission was to study the effects of space travel on a living organism. However, the technology available at that time did not permit for Laika's safe return to Earth. The Soviet Union had planned to euthanize her with poisoned food before oxygen ran out, but due to technical issues, she died from overheating and stress just hours into the flight.
Laika's remains continued to orbit the Earth for over two thousand revolutions before Sputnik 2 burned up upon reentry into the atmosphere in April 1958. Her sacrifice paved the way for future space exploration, contributing significantly to our understanding of how living organisms respond to the space environment. Laika's legacy serves as a reminder of both the triumphs and challenges faced in early space missions.