c. 1957-1970
The Soviet Union's Dogs That Conquered Space
When canine cosmonauts could sell you anything
1957
Confectionery tin, USSR. A tin bearing the image of Laika. Text reads ‘Laika’.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
The more time passes, the more I'm sorry about Laika. We did not learn enough from the mission to justify the death of a dog
OLEG GAZENKO, SOVIET SPACE SCIENTIST. 1998
When it came to deciding which living creature would be first to orbit the Earth, the Soviet Union chose the dog. Specifically, stray female dogs. Russian space scientists believed that such animals possessed the requisite characteristics for successful missions: self-reliance, calm and the ability to tolerate long periods of boredom.
In all, the Soviet Union provided positions for 57 dogs, though some were repeat passengers, making the total number of dogs in space smaller. Of these dogs, most — though not all — returned to Earth alive and well.
After a number of dogs had completed sub-orbital test flights, the first living non-microbial creature to orbit the Earth was the dog Laika ("Barker"), who flew aboard Sputnik 2 on Nov. 3, 1957. As scientists had known from the start, Laika would not survive her voyage.
The official report was that Laika died when her oxygen supply ran out. Only in 2002 was it revealed that Laika had died of stress and overheating.
It was three years before Laika's path around the world would be retraced; this time, by an entire menagerie. In 1960, two dogs — Belka ("Squirrel") and Strelka ("Arrow") — together with a rabbit, 42 mice, two rats, some flies and a range of plants spent a day orbiting the planet. All returned safely to Earth, and Belka and Strekla were hailed as heroes.
Laika, Belka and Strelka were soon followed into space by a long line of dogs, each of which left Earth as a stray and returned as national and international celebrities. Their likenesses were reproduced on every conceivable product. Here is a sample of those products, taken from the book Soviet Space Dogs (FUEL Publishing).
Date unknown
Flying toy, Japan. A children’s tin toy, showing ‘Laika’ sitting in her Sputnik space capsule.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
c.1958
Toy watering can, Japan. A space-themed child’s watering can, depicting a dog in a Sputnik.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
c. 1958
Bucket, Japan. Here Laika is pictured inside Sputnik 2, which due to the lack of images of the second rocket, looks very similar to Sputnik 1.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
c.1958
Spinning top, Japan. Made by S. I. Toys, this spinning top depicts Laika standing on a version of Sputnik.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
1957
"Wee Beep Sputnik" hat, USA. "Wee Beep" refers to the sound emitted by the first Sputnik, which could be heard by anyone with a short-wave radio. It prompted a wave of Sputnik mania, its success reversing the perception of the USSR as a backward country.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / AARON GEORGE BAILEY
Date unknown
Flask, USSR. A ceramic flask fearing the faces of Belka and Strelka, who survived an orbital flight three years after Laika's flight.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
c. 1957
Sputnik bank, USA. A tin "piggy bank," with a Laika-like dog gazing from the cabin. Made in Japan.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
c.1958
Sputnik cigarettes, USSR. The lid of the box shows Sputnik 2 orbiting the Earth (Moscow is marked with a red star).
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
c. 1958
Sputnik cigarettes, USSR. A portrait of Laika dominates the box.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
1958–1965
Laika clockwork satellite toy, West Germany. A toy made by the GNK company between the dates shown above.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
c. 1958
Metal desktop sculpture, USSR. A depiction of Laika and Sputnik 2 made by the artist Ivan Irpensky.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / AARON GEORGE BAILEY
c. 1959
Cigarette case, USSR. A plated metal cigarette case showing the first three Sputniks. Text reads "USSR, Soviet Sputnik Satellites."
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
1960
Porcelain figurine, USSR. Belka and Strelka from the Dmitrovsky Porcelain Factory.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
c. 1960
Wooden box, USSR. A handmade wooden box depicting Belka and Strelka. The text reads, "They returned from space."
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / AARON GEORGE BAILEY
c.1960
Confectionery tin, USSR. A 100-gram tin showing Belka and Strelka wearing their distinctive coloured jackets.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
1960
Confectionery tin, USSR. These tins were given to young guests of the New Year’s Eve party at the Kremlin. Text reads "Strelka" and "Belka."
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
1961
Confectionery tin, USSR. A tin with a portrait of Chernushka, who flew with a cosmonaut dummy in 1961.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING
1961
Confectionery tin, USSR. A tin with a portrait of Zvezdochka, who made the final practice flight before Yuri Gagarin became the first human in space.
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
c.1970
Commemorative plate, USSR. Text reads "Laika – the first living being in space."
IMAGE: © FUEL PUBLISHING / MARIANNE VAN DEN LEMMER
1957-1970
This Is How the Soviet Union Honored the Dogs that Conquered Space
When canine cosmonauts could sell you anything
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