In 1957, a month after the launch into orbit of the first artificial satellite into space flew the first living being of the planet Earth.It was an animal, mammal, dog.His name is a lovely establishment Laika.
Laykina thank
animal quickly became famous and popular throughout the world, the glory of Laiki might envy the most famous artists, jazz musicians, stars of rock 'n' roll and athletes, not to mention the politicians.The only fact to overshadow the joy over the next scientific and technological achievements of the space age, was the death of the dog.After a six-month stay in orbit, carrying two thousand revolutions around the planet, the satellite burned up in the atmosphere.What progress entails not only the glory of the pioneers, and it requires sacrifices.
On the question of what breed the dog was put into orbit, to give a clear answer, no one could.Laika was "noblewoman," in other words, a simple mongrel.Why it happened so it turned out.
preceding flight events
Studies of the effect of various factors that accompany the presence of living beings in the near-Earth space, conducted since 1951.Dezik and Gypsies were pioneers among the earthlings they had a chance to climb to stratospheric heights (100 km) in the habitable capsule, but the space of the flight could not be called, but the rocket lifted them, was the same as the R-7, on which later wentother astronauts into space.In orbit, they do not come out, but it was intended.But from its suborbital "jump" dezik and Roma returned safely.
Belka and Strelka
After a series of such launches came the turn of spaceflight.The first dog in space, Laika, died, but Soviet scientists had to solve the following problem.Should increase the weight of the payload and to return it to Earth.
weight increased twice as the number of "passengers".Belka and Strelka, as they were called, and they, too, were mongrels.Jacqueline Kennedy, receiving from NSKhrushchev unusual gift, not even asked what breed the dog was put into orbit this time.Mother puppy was the legendary arrow flown in space, and this fact makes a present priceless.
Chernushka and Zvezdochka
Coming close to solving the problem of launching the first cosmonaut, the scientists put in a landing craft his "layout", ie dummy, equipped with numerous sensors.The company "Ivan Ivanovich" (as he was called at Baikonur) was four-legged best friend.Less than a month before Gagarin's flight this "couple" to fly into space and returned safely.Again, no reports of the dog breed which was launched into orbit, only her nickname, Nigella, became public.Soon to be confident in the success of this experiment was repeated.Asterisk confirmed available means that it's all right.
So why did they all mutts?
Now it's the turn of people storm the space.And it's time to explain what breed the dog was put into orbit in the first and subsequent times, and why.
answer was surprisingly simple.Space industry engineers when "passenger" guided by its qualities such as good health, stress, intelligence, and good, friendly character.By the way, and the pilots were recruited in the cosmonaut approximately the same basic criteria.
were also age limits (up to 6 years).Weight should not exceed 6 kg.A preferred color was light, can be spotted to the muzzle of the animal (and even her expression) was clearly visible on the television screen.
After a long and careful selection of training was selected first dog.In space, I visited Laika, it has successfully passed all tests and showed better results.
