The launch of Sputnik 1 by the Soviets took the world by surprise. The Soviet Union received an additional boost in prestige one month later when it orbited Sputnik 2 with a dog, named Laika, aboard.
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| Sputnik 2 was the second spacecraft launched into Earth orbit by the Russian on November 3, 1957. It was the first to carry a living animal in orbit - a dog, named Laika. This cover was produced by Kniga with a backdated 3 November 1957 Moscow postmark. |
Sputnik 2 was a 4-meter (13 foot) high cone-shaped capsule with a base diameter of 2 meters (6.6 feet). It contained several compartments for radio transmitters, a telemetry system, a programming unit, a regeneration and temperature control system for the cabin, and scientific instruments. A separate sealed cabin contained the dog Laika. The pressurized cabin on Sputnik 2 allowed enough room for her to lie down or stand and was padded. An air regeneration system provided oxygen; food and water were dispensed in a gelatinized form. Laika was fitted with a harness, a bag to collect waste, and electrodes to monitor vital signs.
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| Photo: Interior of the Sputnik 2 spacecraft. |
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| First day cover of Sputnik 2 stamps released on December 30, 1957. A set of four stamps with the same design but different denominations were issued for Sputnik 2. |
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| Early telemetry indicated Laika was agitated but eating her food. It was believed Laika survived for only a few hours instead of the planned ten days because of the heat. This post card shows a special postmark to commemorate the third anniversary of the launch of Sputnik 2. |
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| Hand-sketch of Laika on plain cover with a special postmark to commemorate Sputnik 2 orbital decay and atmospheric re-entry after approximately 2000 Earth orbits. |
(Reference from
Sputnik 2)
