What were the names of the dogs that were the first to fly into space with an artificial satellite? - briefly
The dogs Belka and Strelka were the first to fly into space aboard an artificial satellite on August 19, 1960. They successfully completed their mission, returning safely back to Earth.
What were the names of the dogs that were the first to fly into space with an artificial satellite? - in detail
The first dogs to fly into space with an artificial satellite were Belka and Strelka, both female strays from Moscow. They were selected for their small size and calm demeanor, which made them ideal candidates for the Soviet space program in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Belka (which means "Squirrel" in Russian) was launched into space on February 24, 1957, aboard a modified R-1 missile. Although the mission was intended to be suborbital, a malfunction caused Belka's capsule to separate prematurely, and she was lost during reentry. Despite this setback, the Soviet Union continued its efforts to send dogs into space with the goal of understanding the effects of spaceflight on living organisms.
Strelka (which means "Little Arrow" in Russian) achieved a significant milestone when she became the first dog to safely return from an orbital flight. On August 19, 1960, Strelka was launched into orbit aboard Sputnik 5 along with a male dog named Belka (not the same one as before), 40 mice, 2 rats, and a variety of plants and fungi. The mission lasted for a day, during which time Strelka became the first living being to successfully complete an orbital flight and return to Earth safely.
The success of Strelka's mission paved the way for future human spaceflight, as it demonstrated that living organisms could survive the rigors of space travel and reentry. The data collected from these early missions provided invaluable insights into the physiological and psychological effects of spaceflight on humans.
In addition to their historical significance, Belka and Strelka have become iconic figures in Soviet and Russian culture. They are remembered not only for their pioneering role in space exploration but also for the valuable contributions they made to scientific research and human knowledge.