20/06/2025
Remembering Laika…the stray dog chosen to be sent to space by Russian scientists, with no plan for return. Remember she trusted the humans who picked her up from the streets.
67 Years Ago, a Small Bark Echoed in Space" 🌌🐾
This time of year, my thoughts always wander to Laika, the brave little soul who was sent into space. It’s been 67 years since that momentous day, yet her story remains one that deserves to be remembered.
Not many talk about Laika anymore, but I believe her story still matters—not just because she was a part of history, but because she symbolizes trust, sacrifice, and the cost of progress.
Laika wasn’t just a dog in a capsule—she was a gentle companion, full of life, chosen for her calmness and resilience. Her real name was Kudrjavka, meaning "curly" in Russian, but to the world, she was Laika—the dog who journeyed into the unknown with no return plan, only a heart full of trust in the hands of humans who promised her nothing more than a one-way ticket.
On November 3rd, 1957, she boarded Sputnik 2. Her capsule was designed for comfort, but there was never a plan to bring her back. The launch was a giant leap for science, but a quiet tragedy for her. Laika circled the Earth 2,570 times before her capsule burned upon re-entry.
She didn't choose this path. She didn’t sign up for fame. She was just a dog, with dreams of warmth and a comforting human touch. But in the end, Laika became a symbol—a reminder that progress sometimes asks too much from those who never had a choice.
So today, we remember her not as a part of history but as a reminder to ask better questions. To think about the cost of our achievements and who pays the price.
Laika, we haven’t forgotten you. And we never should. 💙
