In 1957, Laika, a stray dog from Moscow, became the first animal launched into orbit, paving the way for human space flight, which cost her her life. There were never any arrangements for her return to earth and sadly she died after just a few hours in space due to overheating. The Soviet government originally kept that secret and claimed she was euthanised due to oxygen depletion.
Finally, on 11 April, 2008, a monument to Laika, showing her on top of a rocket, was built near the military research facility in Moscow.
Rip space pup



















