In 1957, Laika, a Moscow stray, became the first dog in orbit aboard Sputnik 2. Her mission aimed to study spaceflight ...

In the late 1950s, Moscow’s streets were full of stray dogs that adapted to freezing nights and scarce food. One small mixed‑breed stood out to Soviet researchers for her calm nature and size. She was ...

The devastating story of Laika, the dog who was sent into space to orbit the earth and never return, has stirred fresh heartbreak online. Laika, a mixed breed from Russia, was just one of countless ...

A model of Laika inside a replica of Sputnik 2 at the Central House of Aviation and Cosmonautics in Moscow. | Mladen Antonov/AFP via Getty Images In March, I visited the Lowell Observatory — the ...

The film features never-before-seen footage of Laika and other Soviet canine explorers. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works. A new ...