Soviet space dogs

"Space dogs" redirects here. For the film, see Space Dogs.

"Dogs in space" redirects here. For the film, see Dogs in Space. For the TV series, see Dogs in Space (TV series).

For the 2014 book, see Soviet Space Dogs (book).

Original Soviet space dog environmentally controlled safety module used on sub-orbital and orbital spaceflights

In the 1950s and 1960s, the Soviet space program used dogs for suborbital and orbital space flights as proof-of-concept to determine whether human spaceflight was feasible. The Soviet space program typically used female dogs due to their anatomical compatibility with the spacesuit. Similarly, they used mix-breed dogs due to their apparent hardiness.

During this period, the Soviet Union launched missions with passenger slots for numerous dogs. Some dogs flew more than once. Many missions were successful, but some resulted in fatalities, including Laika, the first animal to orbit Earth, who on 3 November 1957 was sent on a one-way orbital mission aboard Sputnik 2.