Sputnik-2 or: Laika, Our Hero

In 1957, a Soviet street dog named Laika launched into space aboard Sputnik-2 and became the first animal to orbit the Earth. This is her story.
**2018 Webby Nominee for best science and education video**
When the international press reported the Soviets sent a dog into orbit, the public freaked. Not because communism was beating democracy in the space race, but because how could anyone send a dog-alone-into space. If there's one global commonality, it's this: everyone loves dogs. So, the Soviets spun the story. Laika, the space dog, became a national hero. Yes, she died on her one way mission. But, she gloriously orbited Earth for over a week until her eventual, peaceful death. And, because of Laika's sacrifice, the Soviet space program was now years ahead of the Americans...
But, none of that was true.
Based on declassified Soviet space program documents as well as primary source archive, this is a revised version of Laika's one way trip. In her words. That is, approximately her words. She was a dog, after all.
. . .
VIDEO BY
TOM McNAMARA (@fieldguidetom)
VOICE OF LAIKA
ELENA V. LEVENSON
ARCHIVE
GETTY
#NASA
. . .
For more space dogs, go to www.popsci.com/
#laika #spacedog #sputnik #sputnik2 #sputnik-2 #sputniktwo #sputnikii #firstinspace #history #space #spacerace #spacehistory #lostinspace #animalsinspace #laika #laika #coldwar #NASA #NASA #didlaikadieinspace #russia #sci #yurihaharin #1957 #animals #herodogs #heroanimals #dog #dogs #cosmonauts #astronauts

[@nbrazhnyk]

stop cutting onions!

[@azimuth361]

Same.

[@moth211]

I’m NoT 😭

[@user-ss6lk7ks1t]

Adolph Hitler Built The Autobahnen

[@tiemanmalcolm]

I saw laika in 1957, I was 7 years old my father pointed to the sky and we saw the craft quite clearly, I didn’t really understand but I remember it like it was yesterday, poor puppy 🐶

[@0BV1LAUR3N]

Ik right i never got to know her i was born on 2013 rip Puppy liaka

[@SparkleplaysAJPW]

ur so lucky 💔 i’d give my life up just to see a little part of the puppy. ☹️

[@sayanbanerjee7719]

Feel sad from India, poor Laika 😭😭❤❤

[@makashihakayusa8318]

Your so lucky, you see Laika,

[@wolftalesgammar9671]

😢😢😢 I wish she doesn't deserve it

[@mahimakammar7233]

It's not a dog, it's an angel❤️

[@septiceye_3706]

Poor Laika deserved better 💝 Laika, I'll see you in heaven 💝

[@standingfortruth4043]

Only way to heaven and salvation is by accepting Jesus and living by the Bible. All other ways without Him are leading into eternity in hell because you have rejected Jesus and therefofe eternity with Him. Believing or not believing won't change truth, so seek Him now while you can because tomorrow nor another hour of your life is not promised. You have been warned, choice which will determine your eternal desitny is yours

[@leahw2104]

@@standingfortruth4043 actually for being good as Laika is and respectful and brave dog to go to space so leave dog hater

[@leahw2104]

@@standingfortruth4043 he's a hero

[@naveensvlog8522]

❤️Laika🥺😓

[@zandigga4480]

@@standingfortruth4043 lmao shut up 😂😂

[@willyjee3537]

Good girl Laika, you Rest In Peace, love you.

[@carys4937]

laika didn’t deserve this poor angel i hope she’s running free in heaven

[@Oathkeeper156]

No it's fine, I didn't need my heart today.

[@DefektoPrime]

Laika is quite eloquent for a dog. I can see why they chose her

[@_Choco_]

But they should not have...

[@arcadia.2937]

@@_Choco_ ikr

[@moirapettifr7127]

When I wish upon a star... it's Laika.

[@mariasirona1622]

@@moirapettifr7127 Sputnik 2 fell to Earth because of atmospheric resistance in summer 1958. So there's no star that is Laika

[@mariasirona1622]

@@moirapettifr7127 i'm just spittin' straight facts. And i'm genuinely sorry if i offended you.

[@angelinaknutson532]

They didn't intend her to come back alive, in fact they planned to poison her with her food, this is one of the most heartbreaking things I've ever heard or seen..

[@makashihakayusa8318]

So sad cruel human. So hearth breaking.

[@TommyMccoyMedia]

Rest among the stars Laika, you were the best the world had to offer. From an American, thank you for what you did for all humanity. ♥️

[@LisaBarker]

Poor Laika. :(

[@charlieb3943]

Poor pup! I still cry for to this day!

[@sonyatabitha1464]

Me too!! 😭😭😭😭😭

[@OSAS726]

Me too😢

[@reversalmushroom]

That poor dog.

[@N4imas_Wxrld]

She was literally so calm, thats so sad she died in peace not knowing whats happening, she couldn't even Get back to earth

[@OSAS726]

She was an angel! 😢❤ She will forever be remembered. I have a Facebook page honoring her.

[@mistygroves3503]

Poor Laika. She never came back. Did she ask to go to space? Blessings to her Soul in the next world. I agree with Oleg Gazenko.

[@Rezyyxl]

am literally crying i love this dog so much 😭

[@OSAS726]

Me too 😢 She is an angel 👼. I even started a Facebook group in her remembrance.

[@makashihakayusa8318]

Rest in peace Laika. You never forgotten you still forever in our hearts.

[@OSAS726]

Amen!!!

[@proscapedesigns]

1000s of strays are put to sleep each day. That day; a stray became a hero

[@OSAS726]

What happened to her was in no stretch of the imagination humane! These Soviets were some sickos!!

[@missvida6251]

@@OSAS726So…the soviets did a good thing according to your comment

[@OSAS726]

@@missvida6251 how do you come to that conclusion based on my comment? Your conclusion is completely 180° opposite of what I said.

[@KristinJoannaMarie]

She did everything to please her carers. Yet they betrayed her and left her all alone to suffer and die. She must have had her hopes up that she will be living a good life after being picked up from the streets. I'm so sorry humans are so cruel, Laika. You are loved by many and will always be remembered.

[@jaudo9782]

The Reds didn't prepare the mission properly, they had to plan everything in only 1 month because they were asked to start the mission for the 40th anniversary of the revolution.

[@onlyfans.alycatrawr]

Horrible

[@OSAS726]

@@onlyfans.alycatrawr I so absolutely agree that this was very horrible what they did to her

[@AJMarraffa]

That poor baby. Thinking about her trapped in that capsule all alone just breaks my heart. I wish I could give her some pats and a treat and tell her she's a good girl. I hope she at least felt some sense of awe with her view of the Earth before she passed away. RIP Laika 💔

[@aditya444yt2]

Very sad story and my heart break

[@luftwaffle3766]

RIP Comrade laika

[@MaffiLu]

BRB crying ...a lot

[@Stormblast729]

This little princess has touched the hearts of many. I don't think I could part with this doggy if I were the scientists.

[@SparkleplaysAJPW]

the soviet’s really didn’t have a heart of gold, just of stone. they kept laikas true story hidden for like 50 years until 2002.

[@1joshjosh1]

Unlike 99.8% of the humans commenting there sad blah blah blah blah blah on this video.. Laika will be remembered forever. My ten-year-old son has a poster of her in his bedroom. Her sacrifices were not in vain.

[@OSAS726]

I wish I could find a poster of Laika! She was so beautiful

[@draganablazic5830]

This is the most sadness story what human beings are able to make 😢😢😢This dog didn’t deserve this 😭😭😭

[@nishidarajguru6910]

POOR LAIKA REST IN PEACE

[@OSAS726]

Amen!!!

[@Muhdah1972]

It breaks my heart to know her life wasn't valued by the Russians. That she was used & killed by selfish humans who were too stupid and lazy to determine how to get her back. All involved should have spent the rest of their lives serving animals.

[@EdikLevin]

The first people to launch a man into space and shot back side of the moon was not stupid. Laika's sacrifice was not in vain. It was the first stap to the univercity.

[@Muhdah1972]

Эдик Левин You're right it wasn't stupid, it was ignorant on the part of the Russians. I would criticize this cruelty to animals even if they were done by non-profit Russians. Don't take it personally next time. HUMANS should've volunteered to do this instead of using animals.

[@septiceye_3706]

Sakinah Abdussamad I agree. HUMANS should have volunteered to do this.

[@kevinforbesofficial]

It wasn't really an issue of stupid or lazy. Stalin was still a recent memory, and one of the leading scientists had been to a gulag prior to being redeemed and allowed to practice science again. Nikita Khrushchev gave them an order to get Sputnik 2 launched in time for the anniversary of the Revolution and to have a living thing on board it. Which didn't give them nearly enough time but at the same time saying no was dangerous and they had to make a choice, which unfortunately was the wrong one. To quote Oleg Gazenko, who was her trainer, "Work with animals is a source of suffering to all of us. We treat them like babies who cannot speak. The more time passes, the more I’m sorry about it. We shouldn’t have done it. We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of the dog."

[@dawndonivan3089]

I can't believe in this day and age we still look at the Russians as "heartless". One of the scientists took Laika home at night before the flight to play with his kids. The scientists had no choice or go to prison camp and it would have happened anyway. They did care for Laika. We don't corner the market on caring.

[@ONTHEASTROCOAST]

As lonely as Laika, up there all alone. You miss the atmosphere, the stars are now your home.

[@itschudobs]

strange how for the life of a dog, i wish we had never traversed space

[@mariasirona1622]

Humanity would have gone to space anyway, Laika's flight did nothing for it. The Vostok spacecraft had nothing in common with Sputnik 2.

[@somebodyontheinternet1127]

@@mariasirona1622 we did learn a lot from laika.

[@mariasirona1622]

@@somebodyontheinternet1127 yes we did but we did not learn anything that would not have been found out by later missions.

[@mariasirona1622]

@@somebodyontheinternet1127 4:04

[@kxysroses]

I love you laika. You were so precious and humble, like any other dog. I wish you were treated better. I’m sorry bby. I hope your enjoying rainbow bridge

[@Socrates-]

We salute you, laika, may you Rest In Peace, shine on, you shining diamond

[@1joshjosh1]

Everybody please please these comments are all sad but remember she will be remembered forever unlike most of you. Her sacrifices were not in vain. She is forever in the chapters of rememberable history.

[@xiongkiki]

Aw I feel like crying now im so sorry Laika

[@mattramsay2662]

saddest thing ive heard in a long time. she done everything that was asked of her only to suffer and die alone. rips my heart out 😮‍💨

[@arcadia.2937]

The description says peaceful death? How is a peaceful death crashing in an overheated Sputnik. She was forced her life for an experiment. A peaceful death is being surrounded by friends. Not dying alone in space

[@astraightfemalewhodoesntma674]

She's a dog its not like she was in pain or anything and she wasn't forced forced is being pushed into something unwillingly laika obviously was calm while being put of to space so in her small mind she wasn't being forced and she could've starved anyways you don't know the full story dogs don't have friends either in her mind a friend is a play toy who moves and she wouldn't have friends she would die in pain from some car hitting her don't be so quick to react next time but its still sad a dog died in space so no hate on you as a person.

[@Catsad404]

@@astraightfemalewhodoesntma674 The dog did suffer, she went through pain, she didn't have a choice on whether to stay on earth of to get launched into unknown territory. Lakita wasn't calm. Her heart rate went up 3 time more then a normal dog's heart-rate. The dog wouldn't have of starved she was being fed a nourishes paste and after a certain amount of time, they would of poisoned her dog food. Dogs do have friends, the make friends with other dogs. Dogs are social animals that's why they live in packs. Lakita was forced into a tiny pod and had no owners or packmates to spend her dying moments with. It was very sad that the scientists didn't have enough time to make a proper temperature control and a plan for Lakita to land. I do agree that it was very sad that Laikita died in space and not surrounded with friends on earth. Sorry for rambling I just love animal way too much :)

[@Internationale7]

You didn't read the rest of the description stupid

[@OSAS726]

I totally agree! I’ve memorialized her with the creation of a facebook group. As long as I’m alive she will always be honored and remembered! Fly high sweet Laika! I will love you forever and will see you very soon in heaven! 🙏❤️😔

[@NebulaRanger]

@@astraightfemalewhodoesntma674Laika died of overheating that lasted up to 5 hours. Also, she didn't know she wasn't coming back. A dog wouldn't know if it was being sent up to space until it was too late.

[@azakim2929]

Dear laika . I will meet u in heaven

[@standingfortruth4043]

Only way to heaven and salvation is by accepting Jesus and living by the Bible. All other ways without Him are leading into eternity in hell because you have rejected Jesus and therefofe eternity with Him. Believing or not believing won't change truth, so seek Him now while you can because tomorrow nor another hour of your life is not promised. You have been warned, choice which will determine your eternal desitny is yours

[@mariasirona1622]

@@standingfortruth4043 Jesus, heaven and god do not exist

[@sheliafrady5166]

Laika, sweet Angel, you are a real HERO! I am so sorry that humans are so awful. I know you walk with the Angels 😇 now. I love you sweetheart.

[@OSAS726]

I love you too beautiful Laika! You will always be honored and remembered as long as I have a Facebook group dedicated to your memory

[@procopischristofi9158]

I feel sorry about lika this will make me cry

[@piotrspopiolek]

\‾ (TT-TT ) Greatest respect commrade Laika

[@XxDramaticBatu]

_ \ ):

[@eduard-vdsl1984]

they shouldve spent more time on this to save laika

[@procopischristofi9158]

Yeah only one month to send a dog a coople of cooling fans and no return ticket we are talking about a Life here

[@somebodyontheinternet1127]

@@procopischristofi9158 Eh, at least it’s not a human.

[@mariasirona1622]

@@somebodyontheinternet1127 you monster

[@somebodyontheinternet1127]

@@mariasirona1622 reason?

[@mariasirona1622]

@@somebodyontheinternet1127 dogs are living things with feelings too. So are cats. And dolphins. And pretty much everything else that isn't a grub or a worm or something. They feel pain too.

[@MatrixMaverick1980]

Laika. We love you and we wish you would RIP.

[@OSAS726]

She is definitely in heaven.

[@delta_operator2479]

Fly high into the stars laika

[@apasolini]

Humans are the worst species ever! Rest in peace my dear Laika, I wish I could have you in my arms, where you would be safe.

[@Kenzu0001]

Bastards, fucking bastards. Poor Laika, crying my eyes out.

[@GrandpaChris]

This launch happened before any human got into space. I listen to the original sputnik orbit October 1957!

[@mihaialex1758]

super

[@emilianotristan3900]

Laika is a real and great hero . not just a dog !! rest in peace Hero

[@TheNicestPig]

UGHHHHHH ALREADY DEPRESSED ENOUGH DANGIT.

[@NOOBWELLXD]

I didnt asked for those feels

[@angelaustin6545]

My question is this: Does that mean her bones or still on the ship?

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

She got incinerated.

[@florianl7644]

Sputnik 2 got incinerated when it re-entered the atmosphere.

[@moth211]

We appreciate laika’s sacrifice

[@DA_Doog]

This made me so sad

[@Lily-qy1sh]

is this the children's version?

[@dreamfanmusic8310]

Laika my hero

[@oliviafrias8146]

No puedo evitar llorar con la historia de la dulce e inocente Laika ¿Podrían poner subtitulos en español por favor? Please, translate in spanish.

[@RK831]

The narrator is a true Russian. I can hear her accent.

[@heredownunder]

I don’t think there was a window for the dog to look out at the earth

[@princessnee1963]

Poor doggie😢

[@CAMS_RBXYT-lg9uq]

🕊🕊🕊

[@robertlaporte4626]

This was pretty sad.

[@niaxo]

Lol, he wasn’t your hero... he was just another of their experiments. They found a way to bring a monkey back, but not a dog? Wow.

[@mariasirona1622]

She. And the soviets never used monkeys on spacefliights. All their animals in space (Mars Horizon reference!) were dogs (except there were some mice n' flies too :P). Laika was the only dog not returned to earth.

[@geraldineboetsch4988]

Comrades my ass. poor dog didn't deserve this.

[@OSAS726]

Totally agree

[@Nestuda]

😪💔

[@onlyfans.alycatrawr]

This is sick

[@chris_cost]

Slava Laika!

[@TheMrPeteChannel]

2 late.

[@brockly7916]

Thankyou Laika. R.I.P. Thankyou Yuri Gagarin R.I.P.

[@dreamfanmusic8310]

Rest in peace laika i love you

[@OSAS726]

Rest in peace, sweet Laika. I love you as well.

[@yikee4500]

noooo....Laika...

[@mikeschumacher9715]

What a special way to say we killed a dog in the name of science. Worse has been done.

[@rutikasrajidhage2415]

Lika i salute you

[@Ajay-fl7bl]

5 hours of constant torture 😪😫😩😢

[@tea-hp6nu]

but what was the point? i still dont get why they did it, for him to become a “hero”?

[@veikkalindstrom5745]

To see how long dog can survive in zero gravity

[@TheNicestPig]

@@veikkalindstrom5745 Nah it was to see how living beings react to being in spaaace. She wasn't meant to die like that, but survive longer.

[@Catsad404]

I do wish Lakita did survive longer. If she did survive after a couple of days in space, they were going to poison her with drugged dog food. If she did survive they didn't have a plan to bring her back to earth. The scientists were rushed because of politics

[@chricyan778]

@@Catsad404 lakita?

[@ALEXANjunior]

the proof that if you are a good and calm being there is no doubt that your life will be destroyed. at some point in your life there will be some fuckers to take advantage of you with absolutelly no mercy till they saw you are leaving your last breath for their satisfaction.

[@moirapettifr7127]

At least the scientists admitted it was wrong.

[@jimfaust6342]

Rip Laika. The Russians straight up murdered her.

[@OSAS726]

I TOTALLY AGREE 💯 percent!!!!!’

[@dreamfanmusic8310]

Rip

[@sumemememe4491]

Liaka res in peace

[@judyl.761]

Bastards! Poor dog.

[@OSAS726]

You mean Soviet Bastards? That’s what I call them for doing that to her.

[@theblobrealgaming7054]

R.I.P LAKIA

[@ChaseyPunsalan]

😁😁😁

[@ng7698]

Yanlız ölüme giderken tatlı laika sokaklarda özgürlüğünü düşündüğünü düşünüp acı hissettim kahrolsun tüylü dostlarımızın canını hiçe sayan bilime.İ

[@shelbybrunson6129]

They should of used a dog who actually asked for this not some poor dog off the streets

[@ashimanandachowdhury1222]

The selfish mankind with no kindness

[@somebodyontheinternet1127]

I am still glad that of her contribution to space travel at the cost of her life, she gave important data to soviet scientists so that they could send a man into space.

[@catviolentred3129]

All I can say is... Fuck Superman, fuck wonder woman, fuck ms marvel. But hear me out before you get all angry at me... The reason why I think the "superheroes" should be booted into space themselves is because they are all humans (or as close as can be) but the real marvel, wonder and overall hero should be this amazing doggo. I've even got a name for her: The LEGENDARY LAIKA! And, as a side note, I want to know who the fuck is mincing those onions... Excuse the language, tho.

[@NebulaRanger]

Going on a lighter note and peaking of superheroes, Marvel did make a superhero based on Laika. His name is Cosmo the space dog. He used to be an ordinary dog that was sent to space by the Soviets, but the radiation of space gave him psychic powers, and now he travels the galaxy alongside other heroes. Even though the character is male, the Guardians of the Galaxy movies made Cosmo female to further honor Laika

[@AlvinBalvin321]

IN THE NAME OF SAUSAGE!!!

[@dreamfanmusic8310]

Good work

[@nikolai9278]

Why didn't they send the flat earth believers, instead 😔

[@judyl.761]

Oh I love this comment. That surely is one way to prove to the flat earther dolts that the Earth is round.

[@cherryrozeartz1232]

o7

[@afifahnurhusnamohdsazli9992]

They should not do that! It was sooo bad! They made a sins

[@AbdulKarim-gz5im]

laika Russia real hero

[@fabioballesteros9841]

No russian hero mate

[@kalle02]

Very cruel!

[@OSAS726]

Totally agree

[@mizuki4587]

NOOOOOOO, PUPPYYYYYY!!!! THIS IS WHY I HATE SCIENCE.

[@kevinforbesofficial]

Don't hate science, hate politics. If Nikita Khruschev hadn't demanded that Sputnik 2 launch in a month they could have had time to include proper cooling systems, landing gear, the things necessary to get Laika back home safely (they were able to get Albina - the next dog launched - back home safe because they had time to build a proper ship). But the Premier wanted the ship launched in time for the Anniversary of the Revolution, and with Stalin still a recent memory nobody wanted to tell the Premier no.

[@kansaswheatfarmer2777]

Bro science tried to save the dog. It was politics

[@florianl7644]

This had nothing to do with science. Science could have saved her. It was just a poor human decision.

[@mariasirona1622]

@@kevinforbesofficial the next dogs in space were Strelka and Belka

[@kevinforbesofficial]

@@mariasirona1622 my mistake

[@247Weed420]

So russians are heartless is what ive learned from the story of Laika

[@comradericefarmerhao2269]

So the Americans are heartless for testing products on live animals smh

[@SMVB-cl6oc]

dreaming of sosij

[@FurtherAM]

lol i'm a dog for god sake.. psh hahahah

[@welk6913]

So freaking sad

[@FurtherAM]

lmfao!!! HAHA!!! I'm laughing so hard at the 2nd person dog narrative...