Laika the dog became the first living creature to orbit the Earth, onboard Sputnik II. Laika died a few hours after launch from stress and overheating, probably because of a malfunction in the thermal control system.

Laika the dog became the first living creature to orbit the Earth, onboard Sputnik II. Laika died a few hours after launch from stress and overheating, probably because of a malfunction in the thermal control system.

Tags: science tech surveillance animals