Sixty-seven years ago, a small stray dog from Moscow named Laika made history when she was launched into orbit aboard Sputnik 2 by the Soviet space program. Nicknamed “Little Curly” in Russian, the Husky-Terrier mix was selected for her calm temperament and ability to endure difficult conditions. On Sputnik 2 Launch (November 3, 1957), she became the first animal ever to orbit Earth.

Laika’s mission, however, was never meant to return. The spacecraft had no re-entry system, making the journey a one-way trip. As Sputnik 2 circled the planet thousands of times, Laika remained inside a small capsule equipped with life-support equipment designed to study how living organisms react to spaceflight.

For many years, official reports suggested she survived several days in orbit. Later statements from Russian scientists revealed she likely died only hours after launch due to overheating inside the spacecraft. Despite the tragic outcome, the mission provided early data about survival in space—information that helped pave the way for later human flights during the Space Race.

Today, Laika’s story is remembered with mixed emotions. She represents both an important milestone in space exploration and a reminder of the ethical questions surrounding early scientific experimentation on animals. Around the world, people continue to honor her memory as a symbol of sacrifice during the earliest days of humanity’s journey beyond Earth.