Sergei Korolev, father of the Soviet space program, born 1907

Sergei Pavlovich Korolev, born January 12, 1907 in Russia, was responsible for developing Sputnik 1 and sending Laika and the first human (Yuri Gagarin) in space.  He was arrested in 1938 on a false charge and spent almost 6 years in a Soviet prison.  Against all odds, he actually survived and was recognized for his skills in rocket design.

He directed the Soviet space program and stunned the world when Sputnik 1 was successfully launched in 1957.

Korolev died unexpectedly in 1966 and the Soviet dream of putting a man on the moon died with him.

Félicette, first cat in space, 1963

We've all heard about Laika, the first dog in space and Ham the Astrochimp, but not many of us have heard of Felicette, the first astro-kitty.  Fifty-four years (and less than a month) ago, on October 18, 1963, the French government launched Felicette, a stray found on the streets of Paris, insto space to study the effects of weightlessness on animals.  If Felicette could survive, humans could survive.  Her flight lasted on fifteen minutes, reaching a heigh of 156 kilometers.  She parachuted to safety and was recovered alive.

Three months later, French scientists euthanized her to study her brain implant. Bastards.

There is now a crowdfunding campaign happening to raise money for a bronze statue to commemorate her work.  Laika has a bronze statue.  Ham is buried at the International Space Hall of Fame in New Mexico.  It's way past time to give Felicette her place in history!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C3%A9licette
http://www.foxnews.com/science/2017/11/09/first-cat-in-space-to-receive-proper-memorial.html

Laika launched in Sputnik 2, 1957

Laika, the lovable mutt, a stray found on the streets of Moscow,is the world's most favorite four-legged astronaut.  She was launched aboard Sputnik 2, November 3, 1957 just a month after Sputnik 1 made space history. 

In its rush to keep the advantage it had gained in the space race, the Soviet Union hurried to expand the gap by putting a human into space first.  They had already been putting dogs into high altitude rockets and used that research to launch Laika.

Laika's historic trip is still controversial, even today, since the Soviets knew there was no way for her to safely return to Earth.  It is generally accepted that she survived only a few hours and suffered a cruel death, due to panic and heat. 

However, she is also revered and celebrated today:

Laika, first lady in space, aboard Sputnik 2 1957

 

Laika, the first animal in space, was launched aboard Sputnik 2, November 3, 1957.  Laika proved that humans could survive the launch process but the Soviets had not devised a return to Earth and recovery method (did they care?) so Laika died in orbit.

The adorable little mongrel was found wandering the streets of Moscow so  Soviet scientists figured she had already experienced extreme cold and hunger.  (I suppose they did care. A little.)  Laika has been described as 'quiet and charming'.  Of course, she was.  She  thought she had been rescued  from the streets, not knowing she was going to be sacrificed to science.

Laika's Memorial 

She has been immortalized in space history forever as the first woman in space!

Laika, the first animal in space

Laika, the first animal in space, was launched aboard Sputnik 3, November 3, 1957.  Laika proved that humans could survive the launch process but the Soviets had not devised a return to Earth and recovery method (did they care?) so Laika died in orbit.

The adorable little mongrel was found wandering the streets of Moscow so  Soviet scientists figured she had already experienced extreme cold and hunger.  (I suppose they did care. A little.)  Laida has been described as 'quiet and charming'.  Of course, she was.  She  thought she had been rescued  from the streets, not knowing she was going to be sacrificed to science.

The description "quiet and charming" has not been written about the second of her kind in space, Valentina Tereshkova.  Read James Oberg's "Red Star in Orbit" about the Soviet space program, for some fascinating and funny facts about Val.  A hero, she ain't.

Torturing Training, as the Soviets dubbed it, was inhumane.  Laika was expected to survive for several days, with water and a special diet provided.  She had a harness in the capsule that limited her to standing, sitting or lying down.  She could not turn around.


When Sputnik 3 achieved orbit, some of the thermal insulation  was torn away when the nose  cone jettisoned.  This prevented the thermal control system from operating  properly.  The  temperature in the spacecraft rose to 104° F.  Five to seven hours into the flight, no life signs  were detected from the capsule.

 

A monument to Laika, unveiled in 2008, more than fifty years after her death.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laika