109K views · 1.6K reactions | It's 60 years since #Sputnik2 was launched carrying the world's first astronaut, #Laika, a street dog into space! | Indiatimes | Facebook

In November 1957, the Soviet Union launched Laika aboard Sputnik 2, proving that a living being could survive launch and reach orbit. The mission had no reentry plan, and Laika died hours later from overheating and stress, becoming a tragic symbol of the early space race. | SpaceEve