I decided to think outside the box today when I chose this week's Cold War biography. Laika is not your average Cold Warrior, but she is such an important part of the space program and the Cold War that I could not overlook her. The Cold Warrior I am going to profile today is Laika, dubbed"Mutt-nik" by the Americans.
Laika was a mongrel who was found as a stray on the streets of Moscow. The Russians believed that a stray dog would be perfect for space travel because they had to endure such tough conditions on the streets. A street dog, it was thought, could hold their own in extreme conditions better than a house pet. Laika was set in a program with two other dogs. They endured harsh training and sterile conditions in order to get ready for space flight.
Laika was trained to stay in one spot through the use of smaller and smaller cages in order to adapt to the short time she would spend in the capsule. She also underwent endurance tests such as the centrifuge to simulate a space shuttle launch. Out of three dogs, she was chosen to be the one to ride into space.
It was never intended for Laika to survive the trip, and it took the Soviet Union a long time to admit that she died shortly after reaching space. However, it was one of the first experiments that paved the way for human occupation of space vehicles. Laika's fate also created a sense of responsibility to both the Soviets and the Americans regarding their treatment of animals in space. Several scientists who worked with Laika regretted that she was never meant to come back home, and the rest of the Soviet missions allowed for the animals to be returned safely home. Laika is revered for her bravery and she has had stamps, days and even a staute erected in her honor.
No comments:
Post a Comment