The dog of which breed was put into orbit and the reasons for this choice

In 1957, a month after launching the first artificial satellite into orbit, the first living creature of planet Earth flew into space. It was an animal, a mammal, a dog. Called this cute creature Laika.

Laikina's Glory

The animal immediately became famous and popular on the whole planet, the glory of Laika could be envied by the most famous artists, jazz musicians, rock-and-roll stars and athletes, not to mention politicians. The only thing that clouded the joy of another scientific and technological achievement of the cosmic age was the death of the dog. After a six-month stay in orbit, having made two and a half thousand turns around the planet, the satellite was burnt in the atmosphere. What to do, progress attracts not only the glory of pioneers, it requires sacrifice.

On the question of whether the dog of which breed was put into orbit, no one could give a clear answer. Laika was a "noblewoman," in other words, a simple mongrel. Why it happened that way, it turned out later.

Preceding flight events

Studies of the influence of various factors accompanying the finding of living beings in near-Earth space were conducted since 1951. Desik and Gypsy became pioneers among earthlings, they had to climb to the stratospheric altitude (100 km) in the habitable capsule, but their space flight could not be called, although the rocket that picked them up was the same, R-7, which was later sent Into space other astronauts. They did not go into orbit, but it was planned. But from their suborbital "jump" Desik and Gypsy returned safely.

Belka and Strelka

After a series of similar launches came the turn of space flights. The first dog in space, Laika, died, but the Soviet scientists have already solved the following problem. It was necessary to increase the weight of the payload and ensure its return to Earth.

Weight doubled, as well as the number of "passengers". Squirrel and Arrow, so they were called, and they also turned out to be mongrels. Jacqueline Kennedy, receiving from NS. Khrushchev's unusual gift, did not even ask, the dog of which breed was put into orbit this time. The mother of the puppy was the legendary Strelka, who visited the cosmos, and this fact made the present invaluable.

Chernushka and asterisk

Approaching the task of launching the first cosmonaut, scientists placed a "mock-up" in the descending ship, that is, a manikin equipped with numerous sensors. The company "Ivan Ivanovich" (so it was nicknamed on Baikonur) was made by four-legged man's best friend. Less than a month before Gagarin's flight, this "couple" flew into space and returned safely. Again, it was not reported that the dog of which breed was put into orbit, only her nickname, Chernushka, became public. Soon, for the confidence of success, this experiment was repeated. The asterisk was confirmed by means available to her, that she was all right.

So why are they all mongrels?

Now it is the turn of people to storm the space. And it's time to clarify which breed of dog was put into orbit the first and the following times, and why.

The answer was surprisingly simple. The engineers of the space industry in choosing a "passenger" were guided by such qualities as excellent health, stress resistance, ingenuity and a good, friendly character. By the way, the pilots were recruited into the cosmonaut detachment for approximately the same basic criteria.

There were age restrictions (up to 6 years). Weight should not exceed 6 kg. A color was preferable to light, it is possible with spots, so that the muzzle of the animal (and even its expression) was clearly visible on the television screen.

After a long, careful selection and training, the first dog was selected. In space, visited Laika, she successfully passed all the tests, showing the best results.