Today in history: Soviet Union launched Sputnik 2 with space dog

Today marks the 66th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 2, carrying the first living being into space, a dog named Laika. Laika’s mission opened the door to human spaceflight and provided valuable data on the effects of space travel on living organisms. While her mission raised ethical concerns, it also led to advancements in life support systems for future human missions. Laika’s legacy reminds us of the importance of animal welfare in scientific research.