Nothing excites consciousness as the idea of infinity and freedom.Perhaps these are the sensations you can feel being in space looking at the Earth from a height.However, the first traveler, who went into orbit, was not a man and his best friend - the dog.
opening of the space age
Today even schoolchildren know who Belka and Strelka.Flying into space these animals became a sensation and the start of an incredible discovery.However, it all began with the usual dreams.Man's desire to understand their nature, take a look at life through the eyes of the gods - all this has been pushing scientists to new discoveries and steadily evolving technology.
the space age began in the fifties of the last century.When mankind has mastered in full celestial space and decided to encroach on something more.The history of space flight of Belka and Strelka - only a prelude to something more meaningful and incredible.
superpowers struggle
rivalry between America and Russia has been going on for many decades.And the moment exploring the cosmos was one of the points of this long struggle.
The US government has never hidden its intentions the first to conquer the vastness of space.Moreover, they are actively popularized this idea among the population.We conducted complaint and preparing residents to a sensational historic step.
Even doubters and constantly checking all the information provided journalists believe in a positive outcome of the events.All were ready to celebrate a victory, but in the race to the finish line first came completely different state.The Soviet Union is not just carried out a flight of Belka and Strelka in space, but also sent into orbit the first artificial Earth satellite.
When a year later, in 1958, the Americans still managed to launch "Explorer 1", people could not forgive the deception and became known as companion comic nickname "Orange".
first received the satellite signal from space, mankind has realized that it is possible to conquer the vastness, to explore, to understand.This was a new step in the history of the people.
To whom falls the choice
first launches from the living creatures began with the dogs: it was the famous flight of Belka and Strelka in space.Summary of the story is familiar to almost everyone since childhood.However, the competitive moment, to some extent present here, what is often forgotten to mention.
Which animal is more appropriate for such a responsible travel?Naturally, the first thing that drew attention to the primates.They, more than anyone else, like people.But the monkeys appeared to be more sensitive, probably due to the development of consciousness.They felt that something was wrong and is extremely resistance.
Americans were able to achieve the desired only by injection of sleeping pills.Soviet scientists have found this practice unacceptable and were afraid to incorrect results.The choice fell on the dogs.
Here then began the history of the preparation of pets, among whom were Belka and Strelka.Flying into space dogs carefully planned.They passed a series of tests and inspections.
living entity beyond Earth
Unfortunately, the first dog who knows the weightlessness, unable to return to their homes.But he opened the way for others, made it possible for dogs safe flight into space: Belka and Strelka.
hard to believe, but then a few scientists believed that one can survive in the absence of gravity.Some believed that in weightlessness living organism dies.That is why the first rocket sent from a dog, whose name was Laika was one-way traffic.
No one took care of the development of tools that would help to return to Earth.Yes, and this mission was to answer the question "whether such inventions?".
But as time has shown, the dog survived and suffered a bad flight.It was one of the most important steps.Now it is time to send a team that could come back and be living proof of the possibility of staying in space.
sacrifices in the name of science
Laika was not the only dead dog in a long process of space exploration.But only she was sent to death deliberately.Others were victims of failed experiments missile launch.Technical development in this area was just beginning, and take into account all the details of it was simply impossible.Four-legged friends died in accidents related to the breakdown of missiles.
But every such tragedy showed weaknesses outlining mistakes.This subsequently saved a man's life.Scientists have time to correct their mistakes, develop and install one still achieved a positive result.Now, the first flight of the dogs Belka and Strelka in space was just around the corner.
And it became possible thanks to Mishka, Chizhikov Ryzhikov, Bulba, Fox, Palma, guns and buttons whose names rarely come up in stories about space exploration.
It should be noted that the scientists treated the dogs are very friendly and love.Each pet's death grieved.During the life of them lovingly cared for and create the best conditions.
Careful preparation
natural question every person who studies the first flight into space, "Belka and Strelka has been selected?"Location took all the subjects?
answer is quite simple.All four-legged friends were previously homeless street dogs.Survival in the harsh conditions of a certain way tempered their character made hardier.
addition, have been put forward stringent standards of physical characteristics.Firstly, mongrel were to be small.Because the capsule could not accommodate large specimens.We selected individuals of rising no more than 35 cm, each weighing approximately equal to six kilograms.
interesting fact is that all twelve applicants are trained, they were exclusively female.Why is that?The answer is quite prosaic.Construct a toilet for them is much easier than for males.
Secondly, all the dogs were fair-haired, to black-and-white screens are better allocated.But an aesthetic external data did not forget.After each candidate could become a celebrity whose photo will see the whole world.
What's in a name
little having dug into the depths of history, we can find out that the flight of Belka and Strelka in space is actually made Marquis and Albina.But this is not the other dogs and the same.
The fact that the man who oversaw the project, found the names of Albina and Marques unsuitable for Soviet heroes.Too much foreign shade they brought in themselves.That is why the dogs were given other names, a Soviet, clear every common man.
passed all stages of training, taming, they were ready - Belka and Strelka.Flying in space has changed not only their future but ours.
time spent in space
Finally, all preparations were completed.However, the first couple of dogs, selected as the best team, died tragically during the launch, there was a failure and the rocket stage crashed.That is why
took a flight of Belka and Strelka in space.Date of the event - August 19, 1960.
to the body of animals were connected to special sensors that record all the vital processes and reactions to stay in weightlessness.The information came to Earth, and scientists to quickly process all the data.
This journey science has a lot of new information about previously knew nothing.The results were physical, biochemical, and even genetic condition.
Now it became clear that staying in space can survive.This means that human flight is not far off.
How moved Belka and Strelka space flight?In principle, quite firmly.Only on the fourth turn of the behavior of one of them has changed.Belka became nervous, barking, trying to break out of the mounts.But after the return of her condition returned to normal.
amazing coincidence
not without curiosities of the first flight into space.Belka and Strelka pretty surprised observers.The fact that at the same time, satellite orbit worked USA.His path lay above rockets with dogs.But one of the coils they were sufficiently close to each other.Dogs like to feel the presence of a competitor and broke into loud barking, which stopped as soon as the rocket departed from the satellite.
most famous dog
1960 - year of the flight of Belka and Strelka in space.This event changed the lives of many people and, of course, the further fate of the dogs themselves.
Back on Earth, they have become famous all over the world.Their photos were printed all the most famous publications.
The next day, they took part in a press conference where journalists come from all corners of the planet.After all, this event touched each person, everyone wanted to get the most information.
After the hoopla was over, life returned to normal dogs.They were provided with everything necessary for a good life.Dogs were taken to kindergartens, orphanages, schools, and introduced them to the children.These animals are loved throughout the world.Soviet children looked at them with a smile and pride.
dogs lived to a ripe old age, and even Arrow pleased all young offspring.She had as many as six puppies.One of them, Khrushchev gave the daughter of President Kennedy.
Who knows what thoughts caused fluff the head of America.Perhaps it was a constant reminder of the lost leadership in the field of space exploration.And maybe, on the contrary, it served as an additional incentive.
Space Age declared open
So you know what was a flight of Belka and Strelka in space.Summary of history is unlikely to convey all the feelings that live in the hearts of scholars, rulers and ordinary people.
But this event forever engraved in history as the first step that will allow open space for people.And all thanks to our younger brothers.
Before Yuri Gagarin made the trip four dogs.Name one of them he gave himself - asterisk.She returned from the flight at the end of March 1961.And on April 12 the first man went on an unforgettable journey.
Surprisingly, the dog in ancient times was considered a friend and helper of man.And at such a crucial and important point of it was there.
