Laika, the First Dog Launched Into Orbit

Laika (Russian: Лайка;c. 1954 – November  3, 1957) was a Soviet space dog who became one of the first animals in  space, and the first animal to orbit the Earth. Laika, a stray dog from  the streets of Moscow, was selected to be the occupant of the Soviet  spacecraft Sputnik 2 that was launched into outer space on November 3, 1957.

The exact time of the liftoff varies from source to source and is  mentioned as 05:30:42 Moscow Time or 07:22 Moscow Time.At peak  acceleration Laika’s respiration increased to between three and four  times the pre-launch rate. The sensors showed her heart rate was 103  beats/min before launch and increased to 240 beats/min during the early  acceleration. The Soviet scientists had planned to euthanize Laika with a poisoned  serving of food. For many years, the Soviet Union gave conflicting  statements that she had died either from asphyxia, when the batteries  failed, or that she had been euthanized. Many rumors circulated about  the exact manner of her death. In 1999, several Russian sources reported  that Laika had died when the cabin overheated on the fourth day. ( smarticle )