Laika the Space Dog!

by Ronel Forbes

September 22, 2023

On July 20, 1969, as the lunar module Eagle touched down on the arid surface of the Moon, humanity’s inventiveness and the audacity of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were praised by the entire world.

Yet, a dozen years earlier, another kind of life had already preceded us to the sky, modestly paving the way for this “giant leap for mankind.” That pioneer was Laika, a stray dog from Moscow.

Laika the Space Dog Story

Laika’s story is interesting and has a significant impact despite not being one that she chose.

She was picked from the Moscow streets because of her height, gender, and toughness, qualities that scientists thought would enable her endure the punishing rigors of space travel. During the height of the Cold War space competition, the Soviet Union planned Laika’s mission, code-named Korabl-Sputnik 2.

Her spacecraft, which was launched on November 3, 1957, was a tiny module affixed to Sputnik 2. Laika was strapped into a harness and had electrodes implanted to keep an eye on her vital signs inside this little, hurriedly constructed cabin.

Laika was chosen as a passenger because she was a stray and was used to hard settings. The voyage was intended to explore whether life could survive in space.

The actual circumstances, though, were far from perfect. Laika’s return trip and sustained existence in space weren’t planned for because the mission was rushed to beat the Americans.

Sputnik 2 orbited the Earth every 103 minutes after it was placed in orbit. Laika’s vital signs were sent back to Earth, giving the researchers important information. Laika, sadly, did not survive the mission as a result of the cabin rapidly overheating due to a lack of modern technology and planning.

“The temperature inside the spacecraft after the fourth orbit registered over 90 degrees,” says Cathleen Lewis of the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum. There isn’t much hope that she will survive more than a few orbits after that.

Decades later, the real cause of Laika’s death was made public. The Soviet Union claimed for years that she had survived for several days, but in 2002 it was established that she had passed out due to stress and overheating few hours after the launch.

Thus, the legacy of Laika’s mission is a heartbreaking reminder of the ethical limits we must uphold while pursuing progress in science.

The Ethical Standards of the Space

Laika’s controversial mission must be acknowledged in order to discuss her. Laika’s journey was a one-way trip since, as previously said, safe re-entry was never guaranteed with the technology available.

The fact that Laika died alone in space puts her quest into a somber perspective. She was an unseen hero a dog that went to space on our command rather than on her own volition.

In hindsight, it is obvious that Laika’s life and sacrifice contributed significantly to the advancement of our knowledge of space and our capacity to explore it. But it’s equally crucial to consider the moral implications of our decisions.

We must consider the moral cost associated with the space race as we reflect on its heyday.

Advancing Space Technologies

The usage of animals in the modern era of space travel has been mostly superseded by technical developments like satellites and rovers. However, the debate over how animals should be treated ethically in scientific study is now more important than ever.

It’s critical that we endeavor to ensure that our actions are motivated by respect for all life and a dedication to humane methods even as we continue to push the limits of our knowledge and skills.

There is even concern that a new space race may be starting as a result of AI development and other upcoming technologies. It’s not too far-fetched to see a time in the future when humans and their pets might voluntarily surf the stars together, with billionaires exploring the deepest parts of the ocean. Yet, is it secure?

creatures should not be carried into space, period, according to evolutionary neurobiologist and head of The Whale Sanctuary Project Lori Marino. “While human astronauts know what they are getting into, other animals do not,” she says.

Therefore, it’s definitely best to leave your tiny astronauts at home unless we’re faced with a situation when space flight is our only option for keeping our soulful sidekicks alive.

Please read: DOGS LOVE BELLY RUBS

Conclusion

Laika’s narrative is a tribute to the unsung heroes of our spaceflight and a reminder to us all to think carefully about the moral ramifications of our actions. Laika should not only be remembered as the first person from Earth to orbit, but also as a symbol of kind and respectful scientific inquiry.

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