What spacecraft did the dog Laika travel on? - briefly
The dog Laika traveled aboard the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 2. This mission marked the first time an animal was launched into orbit around Earth.
What spacecraft did the dog Laika travel on? - in detail
The spacecraft that carried the dog Laika into space was named Sputnik 2. This historic mission, launched by the Soviet Union on November 3, 1957, marked a significant milestone in space exploration as it was the first time a living being had been sent into orbit. Laika, a small mixed-breed dog, became an unwitting pioneer in this groundbreaking endeavor.
Sputnik 2 was designed to test the effects of space travel on a living organism and gather data that would be crucial for future human spaceflight missions. The spacecraft itself was relatively simple in design compared to modern spacecraft, weighing approximately 508 kilograms (1,120 pounds). It consisted of a spherical pressurized cabin where Laika resided during her time in orbit, and an instrument compartment that housed the scientific equipment necessary for monitoring her vital signs and collecting other data.
During its flight, Sputnik 2 transmitted valuable information about Laika's condition to Soviet scientists on Earth. The spacecraft was equipped with sensors to measure temperature, humidity, and pressure within the cabin, as well as telemetry systems that relayed details about Laika's heart rate, respiration, and other physiological parameters. Although the mission was designed to last for several days, it ended tragically after only a few hours when the spacecraft's oxygen supply ran out, leading to Laika's demise.
Despite the unfortunate outcome, the Sputnik 2 mission provided invaluable insights into the challenges and complexities of maintaining life support systems in space. The data collected from Laika's journey paved the way for further advancements in space technology and ultimately contributed to the successful launch of human astronauts into orbit.