http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4SUH9qITxEOne giant leap for dogkind? When the Soviet Union sent two dogs into flight 50 years ago today, the dogs became instant celebrities. Belka and Strelka became the first living creatures to circle the earth and return alive, and gave the Soviet Union a run on the race to be first in space.
Those pooches must have been horrified, methinks, and terribly mistreated, but got a heroes welcome home.
Russia is celebrating that anniversary today, and in Moscow, news programs were topped with the anniversary, according to the Associated Press. Sad times there with the heatwave and drought. They need to remember better days, but are we sure using dogs in this test was a sign of a better day? Mice and other creatures also made the trip.
They spent a day in space. Strelka went onto have six pups, one of which was presented by Nikita Khrushchev to President John F. Kennedy's daughter Caroline in 1961.
Times have changed. Both dogs were preserved after their deaths and are on display at a museum in Moscow. Smithsonian's Air&Space has more stories and images (hint: Kennedy's dog's puppies).
ANIMALES 360°
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