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Laika, the first dog in space

The Russian stray was the first dog to be sent into orbit around the earth in November 1957. Her flight was timed to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the Russian Revolution.

The Russian stray was the first dog to orbit the Earth. She was sent into space in November 1957 in a flight which had been timed to mark the anniversary of the Russian Revolution. She died after orbiting the Earth four times. Professor Victor Yazdovsky's father was in charge of the dogs in the Russian space programme. Professor Yazdovsky tells Olga Smirnova about playing with Laika, before her flight, when he was just nine years old.

Photo: Laika. Credit: Keystone/Hulton/Getty Images.

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9 minutes

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Mon 15 Jul 2019 12:50GMT

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  • Mon 15 Jul 2019 07:50GMT
  • Mon 15 Jul 2019 12:50GMT

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