SPUTNIK 2; THE FIRST LIVING CREATURE IN SPACE

 

SPUTNIK 2; THE FIRST LIVING CREATURE IN SPACE

Sputnik 2 was the second artificial satellite launched by the Soviet Union (as the first one was sputnik 1). It was launched on November 3, 1957, just a month after the historic launch of Sputnik 1. Sputnik 2 carried a passenger: a dog named Laika. Laika became the first living creature to orbit the Earth. Unfortunately, the technology to safely return Laika to Earth hadn't been developed yet, so her journey was one-way, and she perished in space.Sputnik 2 was larger and more sophisticated than its predecessor, equipped with scientific instruments to study cosmic rays, solar radiation, and the Earth's magnetic field. While the primary mission was to send a living being into orbit, Sputnik 2 also provided valuable scientific data about the space environment.

Sputnik 2, the spacecraft carrying Laika, did not crash in the conventional sense. Instead, it completed its mission and re-entered Earth's atmosphere on April 14, 1958, after spending about 162 days in orbit. However, the fate of Laika was tragic. The spacecraft was not designed for a return trip, and there were no provisions for Laika's safe re-entry or recovery. She perished within a few hours of the launch due to overheating caused by a malfunction in the spacecraft's thermal control system. Sputnik 2 continued to orbit the Earth until it eventually burned up upon re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. While Sputnik 2's mission achieved its scientific objectives, Laika's death sparked ethical debates about the use of animals in space exploration and raised awareness about the welfare of living organisms in space travel.

1. **Background:** Laika, whose name means "barker" or "barking" in Russian, was a stray dog found on the streets of Moscow. She was selected for the Soviet space program due to her small size, calm temperament, and ability to withstand the rigors of training.

2. **Mission:** Laika was chosen to be the occupant of Sputnik 2, which was launched into space on November 3, 1957. The primary objective of the mission was to study the effects of space travel on a living organism. Laika was the first living creature to be sent into orbit around the Earth.

3. **Preparation:** In preparation for the mission, Laika underwent extensive training, including confinement in a small capsule and exposure to loud noises and vibrations to simulate the conditions of space travel. She was also trained to eat a specially prepared gel-like food that would be her sustenance during the mission.

4. **Mission Outcome:** Sputnik 2 successfully launched into space with Laika aboard. However, there were no plans for her return to Earth, as the technology for safely returning a living creature from orbit had not yet been developed. Laika's capsule provided valuable data on the effects of space travel on living organisms, including the physiological and psychological impacts of weightlessness and radiation exposure.

5. **Outcome for Laika:** Unfortunately, Laika's mission was one-way, and she died a few hours after the launch due to overheating caused by a malfunction in the spacecraft's thermal control system. Initially, the Soviet authorities claimed that Laika survived in orbit for several days before succumbing to euthanasia, but it was later revealed that she died within a few hours of liftoff.