What were the names of the dogs that flew into space and returned safely? - briefly
The first dogs to fly into space and return safely were Belka and Strelka. They completed their mission in 1960 aboard the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik 5.
What were the names of the dogs that flew into space and returned safely? - in detail
The first animals sent to space by humans were not human, but canine. Among these pioneering dogs, several stand out for successfully completing their missions and returning safely to Earth.
One of the most famous is Laika, though her mission was not entirely successful in terms of return. However, the first dog to survive a spaceflight and return to Earth was named Dezik. This milestone was achieved on July 22, 1951, when Dezik, along with his companion Lisichka, were launched aboard a Soviet R-1 missile. The dogs reached an altitude of about 100 kilometers before parachuting back to Earth, marking the first time any living beings had survived space travel and returned unharmed.
Another significant canine astronaut is Belka, who, along with Strelka, made history on August 19, 1960. They were launched aboard the Soviet spaceship Korabl-Sputnik 2 (also known as Sputnik 5) and spent a day in orbit before safely returning to Earth. Their successful mission paved the way for human spaceflight, demonstrating that living beings could survive the rigors of space travel and return home safely.
These dogs, Dezik, Lisichka, Belka, and Strelka, are not just names but symbols of early space exploration achievements. Their safe return laid the groundwork for further advancements in space technology and eventually enabled human spaceflight.