In 1957, Soviet Prime Minister Nikita Khrushchev wanted to celebrate 40 years of the communist revolution with an impressive feat: sending a dog into Earth orbit to test how a living being would tolerate zero gravity. The selection included more than 20 abandoned dogs – purebred dogs were considered unable to withstand extreme situations.

Three of them stood out in the tests. As Albina was pregnant and Mukhu was not photogenic, it was left to Laika – a very smart husky and mutt mix. Sputnik 2 was a cylinder-shaped satellite, barely bigger than a car – unlike its predecessor, Sputnik 1, a sphere 50 cm in diameter.

Laika weighed 6 kg and had to settle into a capsule the size of a washing machine. Inside, there was an automatic feeder that dispensed food to the puppy. Laika had sensors on her body to measure vital signs.

Sputnik 2 was released on November 3rd. Over the next few days, Soviet newspapers carried bulletins about the mission and Laika’s health, who appeared to be doing well. A week later, however, his death was publicized, causing outrage around the world. In the 2000s, members of the project revealed that the dog lasted only five hours and that they knew it was not possible to bring her back. The noise and heat of the capsule made Laika’s heart race. She died after reaching the atmosphere. In spite of everything, the experience paved the way for, in 1961, the Soviet Yuri Gagarin became the first man to go into space.