Belka and strelka

Belka and Strelka are among the animals in a "flying zoo" that is launched into orbit aboard the Soviet Union's Sputnik V. The next day they return alive, the first Earth-born creatures to do so. Also on board are a rabbit, rats, mice, flies, plants, fungi, microscopic water plants and seeds. The dogs get a hero's welcome in Moscow. * Flight summary: @ * Graphic: @ * Soviet newsreels: @ and @* Soviet postcards: @ and @ * Animals in space (NASA summary): @

Belka and Strelka were two dogs launched into space on August 19, 1960 on the Sputnik 5 space craft. Two rats, forty mice, and a few plants joined them on the journey. To help test human ability to survive in space, a human dummy was also loaded in the craft. The animals safely returned to earth one day later on August 20, 1960.

We pay homage to some of history’s most indomitable female dogs. They went above and beyond (in one case, literally) in service to humankind. Strelka and Belka TAR-TASS / Sergei Preobrazhensky; Nikolai Sitnikov Years before Valentina Tereshkova became the first woman cosmonaut in space, two other females blazed a trail. On August 19, 1960, the […]

Belka and Strelka, first dogs to make an orbital flight and live

Description Laika, Belka & Strelka

Oleg Gazenko with Strelka and Belka, 1960

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On August 19 1960, Belka and Strelka made history by circling the Earth 18 times on the Soviet Korable-Sputnik 2 spacecraft - paving the way for cosmonaut Yuri Gararin.

Soviet matchbox celebrating Belka and Strelka, two dogs from their space program.