Sputnik 2 Anniversary

Fifty-two years ago today (November 3rd, 1957), Sputnik 2 launched from the Soviet Union with a dog named Laika on board. It was a tremendous political coup for the USSR to launch a living being into space. Unfortunately it wasn't so tremendous for Laika. They made no plans for her to ever return to earth. Several accounts were told of how long Laika survived in space, but the full story was finally revealed in 2002. Laika only lived a few hours before the stress and heat did her in. Her remains orbited the earth for five months until the capsule burned up on re-entry in April of 1958. In honor of the anniversary, here's Space Doggity by Jonathon Coulton. (via Metafilter)

 

Comments

[Dohlink]

Some dog trick...perpetuated by low life humans, once exploiting the vulnerable. Coup? At least he Laika deserve to be honored and remembered.

[Mara]

this has always made me feel very sad

[heather]

A very poignant song, thanks miss cellania :)

[FLORA]

POVERA LAIKA BASTARDI COME AVETE POTUTO TORTURLA IN QUEL MODO E POI LASCIARLA MORIRE BASTARDI BASTARDI.....